Answer
Based on the conversation, the following would be the number:
1. $n+2$
2. $3(n+2)$
$=3n+6$
3. $3n+6-6$
$= 3n$
Work Step by Step
This trick can be represented by an algebraic expression.
Let us assume that Wayne thinks of a natural number (let it be "n").
Based on the conversation, the following would be the number:
1. $n+2$
2. $3(n+2)$
$=3n+6$
3. $3n+6-6$
$= 3n$
Therefore, we can come to the conclusion that one third of the number told by Wayne is the original number.
This is how Joel found out Wayne's number.
