this can be turned into an equation to be solved more easily. so the amount of bananas can be x. there are 17 peaches. So the equation would be:
(17 - 3) ÷ 2 = x
you begin with what's inside the parenthesis
17 - 3 = 14.
14 ÷2 = 7
x = 7
there are 7 bananas in the bag of bananas