If 3 times a number added to 2 is divided by the number plus 4 the result is 4/3 Take this in pieces, where "a number" means an arbitrary variable, let's call it "x". 3 times a number --> 3x 3 times a number added to 2 --> 3x + 2 The number plus 4 --> x + 4 is divided by --> (3x + 2)/(x + 4) the result is 4/3 --> (3x + 2)/(x + 4) = 4/3