four times the sum of a number and three equal two less than five times the number. find the number

2 answers

so, if x is the number, what is

the sum of the number and three?

That's the first step. Then keep going. If you get stuck, come back with what you got so far.
4 ( x + 3 ) = 5 x - 2

4 * x + 4 * 3 = 5 x - 2

4 x + 12 = 5 x - 2 Subtract 4 x to both sides

4 x + 12 - 4 x = 5 x - 4 x - 2

12 = x - 2 Add 2 to both sides

12 + 2 = x - 2 + 2

14 = x

x = 14