Let x = "a number".
then the opposite of that number = -x
and three times the opposite = 3(-x) = -3x
Now we do a "translation" of "a number is 68 greater than three times its opposite". When doing a translation from English to Algebra, forms of the verb "to be" (is, are, was, were, etc.) translate into equal signs.
"a number is 68 greater than three times its opposite"
x = 68 + (-3x)
Now we have an equation we can solve. As usual there are many ways to solve this. One way would be: Add 3x to both sides:
x + 3x = 68 + (-3x) + 3x
Add like terms:
4x = 68 + 0
4x = 68
Divide both sides by 4:
Cancel common factors
leaving
Simplifying we get:
(