Final answer:
To solve for the unknown number, we set up the equation 4 + 12x = 256, subtracted 4 from both sides getting 12x = 252, and then divided both sides by 12 to find that x = 21.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question requires setting up and solving a simple algebraic equation to find an unknown number. To find the number, one can translate the words into a mathematical statement: the sum of four and twelve times a number is 256. This statement can be written as:
4 + 12x = 256.
Now, we will solve for the number x step by step:
- Subtract 4 from both sides of the equation to isolate the term with the variable x on one side:
12x = 256 - 4
12x = 252. - Divide both sides of the equation by 12 to solve for x:
x = 252 / 12
x = 21.
Therefore, the number in question is 21.