Question

A number increased by negative four is equal to seventeen. Which equation could be used to find the number?

A.4 - n = 17
B.n + (-4) = 17
C.n - (-4) = 17
D.n + 4 = 17

Answer 1

So,

We can "translate" this sentence into mathematical form.

"A number"
n

"increased by negative four"
-4 or + (-4)

"is equal to seventeen."
= 17

So it can be either n - 4 = 17 or n + (-4) = 17. It can also by -4 + n = 17, etc.

Clearly, option B is the only one that qualifies as an accurate "translation" of our sentence.