Answer:
-14
Step-by-step explanation:
Write an equation and expressions by defining variables first.
"a number" is x.
Then "the sum of a number and three is tripled" is 3(x+3).
And "five less than twice the number" is 2x - 5.
Set them equal and solve for x.
3(x+3) = 2x -5
3x+9 = 2x-5
x+9 = -5
x = -14