I don't get this

I think of a number, add 5, multiply by 11, square root the number, then subtract 3+2. The answer is 6 what is the starting number?

Let N be the number....so we have

√[(N+5)*11] - (3+ 2) = 6

√[(N+5)*11] - 5    = 6    add 5 to both sides

√[(N+5)*11]   = 11         square both sides

(N + 5)*11 = 121            divide by 11 on both sides

N + 5  = 11                     subtract 5 from both sides

N = 6

So, the strating number is 6

$${\mathtt{a}}{\mathtt{\,\small\textbf+\,}}{\mathtt{5}}{\mathtt{\,\times\,}}{\mathtt{11}}{\mathtt{\,\times\,}}{\sqrt{{\mathtt{a}}}}{\mathtt{\,-\,}}{\mathtt{3}}{\mathtt{\,\small\textbf+\,}}{\mathtt{2}} = {\mathtt{6}} \Rightarrow {\mathtt{a}} = {\mathtt{7}}{\mathtt{\,-\,}}{\mathtt{55}}{\mathtt{\,\times\,}}{\sqrt{{\mathtt{a}}}}$$

Good answer CPhill....see anything new on the site???

I think I see your name on the "Top Answerers," don't I ???

Uh...yeah.....that would be it!  I kinda forced myself on their by counting down from 44, one post at a time....so boring!