4 times a number is the same as the number increased by 78. Let's take this algebraic expression in parts: The phrase a number means an arbitrary variable, let's call it x. 4 times a number is written as 4x The number increased by 78 means we add 78 to x: x + 78 The phrase the same as mean an equation, so we set #2 equal to #3 4x = x + 78 <-- This is our algebraic expression If the problem asks you to take it a step further, then we type this equation into our search engine and get: x = 26