If the product of a number and -3 is reduced by 5, the result is 25 less than twice the opposite of the number. Find the number.

Actually

-3n-5=-2n-25

-2n      -2n

-1n-5=-25

    +5   +5

-1n=-20

-1n/-1= -20/-1

n=20

Let n be the number.

Left side of the equation:

The product of the number and -3 becomes -3n

Reducing this by 5 means subtracting 5 from this:  -3n - 5

------

Right side of the equation:

The opposite of the number is -n

Twice this is -2n

25 less than this is  -2n - 25

------

Equation:                                    -3n - 5  =  -2n - 25

Adding 3n to both sides:      -3n + 3n - 5  =  -2n + 3n - 25

                                                        -5  =  n - 25

Add 25:                                             20  =  n