A number increased by negative four is equal to seventeen. Which equation could be used to find the number?

A. 4 - n = 17

B. n + (-4) = 17

C. n - (-4) = 17

D. n + 4 = 17

So,

We can "translate" this sentence into mathematical form.

"A number"

n

"increased by negative four"

-4 or + (-4)

"is equal to seventeen."

= 17

So it can be either n - 4 = 17 or n + (-4) = 17. It can also by - 4 + n = 17, etc.

Clearly, option B is the only one that qualifies as an accurate "translation" of our sentence.