Answer
The number is 7.
Work Step by Step
step 1
Let x represent the unknown number in the problem.
step 2
"two times x" = 2x
" ... decreased by 3" = 2x-3
" the result is 11" is written as " = 11"
step 3
The equation is
$2x-3=11$
step 4
Solve the equation for x and answer the problem’s question.
$2x-3=11\qquad/+3$
$2x=14\qquad/\div 2$
$x=7$
The number is 7.
step 5
Check the solution in the original wording of the problem.
Two times seven (14),
decreased by 3 (14-3=11)
gives the result 11.
OK.
