Answer:
The number is -27.
Explanation:
Since three less than a number (n) is 14 more than two times that number, we can use the following equation and steps to find the number:
Step 1: Add 3 to both sides:
(n - 3 = 2n + 14) + 3
n = 2n + 17
Step 2: Subtract 2n from both sides:
(n = 2n + 17) - 2n
-n = 17
Step 3: Divide both sides by -1 to solve for n:
(-n = 17) / -1
n = -17
Therefore, the number is -17.
Optional Step 4: Check the validity of the answer by substituting -17 for n and ensuring that the answer is the same on both sides of the equation:
-17 - 3 = 2(-17) + 14
-20 = -34 + 14
-20 = -20
Thus, our answer is correct.