Question

Three times a number decreased by fourteen is four

Answer 1

3 x (n) - 14 =4

n=6

3 times 6 is 18, subtract 14 from that and you get 4. Working backwards helps. 

Answer 2

3x-14=4
start the eqation

3x+14=4+14
change theside of the fourteen by adding to both sides

3x=18

3x÷3=18÷3
isolate the x by dividing by 3

x=6