SOLUTION: Hello, I have been recently working on a question (Maths Trick) but I cannot figure out how it works. I have used x as the number and tried to figure out the algebra but I cannot

Question 924343: Hello,
I have been recently working on a question (Maths Trick) but I cannot figure out how it works. I have used x as the number and tried to figure out the algebra but I cannot solve it. The trick is:
Think of a number, any positive integer
1. Square it.
2. Add the result to your original number.
3. Divide by your original number.
4. Add, oh, how about 17.
5. Subtract your original number.
6. Divide by 6.
The number you are thinking of now is 3!
Your help will be greatly appreciated in helping me to solve this Maths Trick.
Thanks again!

Answer by josgarithmetic(39620) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
This step in the process needs to be precise:
4. Add, oh, how about 17.

Know exactly what you want this to be. As currently written, the statement or instruction is uncertain.

Why should "the number you are thinking" be 3, if the reader is allowed to choose any positive integer?

Symbolize the entire sequence of steps and simplify to find a formula.
Think of a number: n.
1. ________n^2
2._________n^2+n
3._________(n^2+n)/n
4. You need to decide how to fix this step, but as best you gave,______(n^2+n)/n+17
5__________(n^2+n)/n+17-n
6._________(n^2+n)/(6n)+17/6-n/6
All of that is in pure text.

Simplify the expression.

, observe in this expression's step the two additive inverses in the numerator.

which is equal to 3.

The arithmetic according to algebra rules for real numbers makes the sequence of steps produce 3, and the choice of n will not affect this. The sequence of steps WILL NOT PRODUCE the number which the reader or participant is asked to choose.
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