Question

five added to 2 times a number is equal to 7 less than 4 times the number

Answer 1

Let the number be X.

2X + 5 = 4X - 7
Therefore 4X - 7 = 2X + 5

Now all of the Xs need to be on one side:

4X - 7 - 2X = 5
2X - 7 = 5

Now put the single numbers all on the other side:

2X = 5 + 7
2X = 12

And finally divide by the number in front of the X:

2X / 2 = 12 / 2
X = 6

So the original number is 6.

Answer 2

the number is x

5 added to (5+) 2 times a number (2 times x or 2x) is equal to (=) 7 less than (-7) 4 times the number (4 times x or 4x)

5+2x=-7+4x

isolate x
minus 2x from both sides
5=-7+2x
add7 to both sides
12=2x
divide 2
6=x

the number is 6