These are fun! Let's make a math sentence.
Our number is x.
We are told that x is equal to 68 more than 3 (-x)
x=3(-x) + 68 is our final equation
Now solve.
x = -3x + 68 Subtract -3x from both sides to move the variables to the left.
x -(-3x) = 68 Change the two minuses to a plus
x+3x = 68 Add the variables
4x = 68 Divide both sides by 4 to leave only x.
x = 17