I assume you meant: Five more than twice the number is 17. If so, you're going to set up your equation as: 17 = 2x+5 17 being the total, 2x being "twice the number", and +5 being "five more than". Now, subtract 5 from both sides of the equation. You have 12 = 2x Then, divide by 2. You get 6 = x.