Question

The difference of a number times 4 and 9 equals 5

Answer 1

4y - 9 = 5
y is the unknown number

Answer 2

The difference of a number times 4 and 9 equals 5.  Let the number be n.
Then  4n - 9 = a number times 4
 The difference of a number times 4   AND     9  equals     5 comes out to be:

                                                      4n - 9 = 5

Add 9 to both sides:                       4n       = 14.  Then n = 14/4 = 7/2 (answer)

Note that 14 less 9 is 5.  This is one way in which you can check this result.