Ten less than 3 times a number is the same as the number plus 4

Ten less than 3 times a number" can be represented as 3n - 10 "the number plus 4" is represented as n + 4 "the same as" means "equal" so... 3n - 10 = n + 4 so... Combine terms by subtracting an "n" from both sides, and adding 10 to both sides, so... The left side becomes 2n, and it equals... the right side, which becomes 14, so... 2n = 14, so... n = 7 Check it by plugging 7 in for "the number" in the original question: 10 less than 3 * 7 gives you 11, and 7 + 4 also gives you 11, so you know that 7 is the correct answer! :-)