Question 57495
Word problems are the most difficult thing for anyone to get good at.  I think it's commendable that you're hanging in there and trying:
"If I take a fourh of a number away from half the number, I get 10. What is the number?" 
Let a number be: x
Take away means: -
Then a fourth of the number is: {{{(1/4)x}}}
half the number means: {{{(1/2)x}}}
I get means: =
The equation is:
{{{(1/2)x-(1/4)x=10}}}  The LCD is 4. 
{{{((2*1)/(2*2))x-(1/4)x=10}}}
{{{(2/4)x-(1/4)x=10}}}
{{{((2-1)/4)x=10}}}
{{{(1/4)x=10}}}
{{{4*(1/4)x=4*10}}}
{{{(4/4)x=40}}}
{{{1x=40}}}
{{{x=40}}}
The number is 40.
You could clear the fractions by multiplying everything by four in the first step if you hate adding fractions.
Happy Calculating!!!