If 1/3 is subtracted from 3 times the reciprocal 
of a certain number, the result is 25/6. Find the 
number.

Let x = the number
So the reciprocal of the number is 1/x

>>...If 1/3 is subtracted from 3 times the reciprocal 
of a certain number, the result is 25/6...<<

Replace the words "the reciprocal of a certain number"
by 1/x

>>...If 1/3 is subtracted from 3 times 1/x, the result is 25/6...<<

Replace the words "3 times 1/x" by 3/x

>>...If 1/3 is subtracted from 3/x, the result is 25/6...<<

If we want to subtract 1/3 from 3/x, we write down 3/x and then
subtract 1/3 from it, like this:  3/x - 1/3, so we replace the words
"If 1/3 is subtracted from 3/x" by "3/x - 1/3":

>>...3/x - 1/3, the result is 25/6...<<

Finally replace the words ", the result is" by an equal sign " = "

>>...3/x - 1/3 = 25/6...<<

So that's the equation

     3/x - 1/3 = 25/6

Can you solve this by multiplying through by the LCD which equals 6x?
If not, then post again asking how to solve that.  

Answer: x = 2/3

Edwin