# 30 subtracted from four times a number is 3 more than the number. What is the number?

Feb 12, 2017

#### Answer:

$4 n - 30 = 3 + \textcolor{red}{n}$

#### Explanation:

Let's break this down one expression at a time. First, the word "is" means "equal to" or "=". Therefore:

"30 subtracted from four times a number" = "3 more than the number"

Next, let's name the variable or "a number" or "the number". Let's call "the number" $\textcolor{red}{n}$

"30 subtracted from four times $\textcolor{red}{n}$" = "3 more than $\textcolor{red}{n}$"

Then the right side of the equation can be completed. "3 more than" means to "add 3" giving:

"30 subtracted from four times $\textcolor{red}{n}$" $= 3 + \textcolor{red}{n}$

Next, "four times" means to "multiply" or "times" by "4" giving:

"30 subtracted from" $4 \times \textcolor{red}{n}$ $= 3 + \textcolor{red}{n}$

Now, "30 subtracted from" this result means we need to subtract "30" from the expression giving:

$\left(4 \times \textcolor{red}{n}\right) - 30 = 3 + \textcolor{red}{n}$

Or

$4 n - 30 = 3 + \textcolor{red}{n}$