Question 924343
This step in the process needs to be precise:  
<i>4. Add, oh, how about 17.</i>


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.
{{{(n^2+n)/(6n)+17/6-n/6}}}


{{{(n^2+n)/(6n)+17n/(6n)-(n^2)/(6n)}}}


{{{(n^2+n+17n-n^2)/(6n)}}}, observe in this expression's step the two additive inverses in the numerator.


{{{(n+17n)/(6n)}}}


{{{(1+17)/6}}}


{{{18/6}}}
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.