1/3 of the sum of a number and 2 plus 5 is -20
The phrase a number means an arbitrary variable, let's call it x.
x
the sum of a number and 2:
x + 2
1/3 of the sum of a number and 2
1/3(x + 2)
1/3 of the sum of a number and 2 plus 5
1/3(x + 2) + 5
The phrase is means equal to, so we set 1/3(x + 2) + 5 equal to -20:
1/3(x + 2) + 5 = -20
The phrase a number means an arbitrary variable, let's call it x.
x
the sum of a number and 2:
x + 2
1/3 of the sum of a number and 2
1/3(x + 2)
1/3 of the sum of a number and 2 plus 5
1/3(x + 2) + 5
The phrase is means equal to, so we set 1/3(x + 2) + 5 equal to -20:
1/3(x + 2) + 5 = -20