Question

Please help: The sum of twice a number and 4 less than the number is the same as the difference between -32 and the number. What is the number?

Answer 1

Try to rewrite the question, replacing 'the number' with x; 'sum' with +, 'the same as' with =.

Answer 2

ok

Answer 3

confused

Answer 4

is it x = -32 - 4
x = -36?

Answer 5

If we look at the first part, it says 'the sum of twice a number, and 4 less than the number'. How would you write 'twice a number'?

Answer 6

n*2?

Answer 7

or 2n

Answer 8

is that correct

Answer 9

Yep! What about '4 less than the number'?

Answer 10

2n - 4?

Answer 11

sum means add
twice a number means 2*n where n is a number
4 less than a number means n-4
so the sum of those is 2n+(n-4)

the same as means equal
difference of -32 and n is -32-n
2n+(n-4)=-32-n

Answer 12

Oh, okay. Thank you