Question

Three times a number is the same as 28 more than 6 times the number. Find the number. If n is "the number," which equation could be used to solve for the number?

Answer 1

OK. Let's build this thing brick by brick,
one step at a time:

The number. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N
==> Three times the number . . . . . . . . 3N
6 times the number. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6N
==> 28 more than 6 times the number . 6N + 28

You said the three times the number is the same
as 28 more than 6 times the number.
So I can write

3N = 6N + 28

That's the equation.
Subtract 3N from each side: 0 = 3N + 28

Now subtract 28 from each side: -28 = 3N

Now divide each side by 3 : N = - 28/3 .

That number is kind of weird, but it's the ONLY number
that behaves according to the description in the question.

Three times the number . . . . . -28
6 times the number . . . . . . . . . -56

-28 is 28 more than -56. yay!