1. **State the problem:** Sarah says, "If I subtract 5 from my number, multiply that quantity by 4, and then add 7 to the result, I get 35." We need to write an equation based on this and find Sarah's number. 2. **Define the variable:** Let Sarah's number be $x$. 3. **Translate the clues into an equation:** - Subtract 5 from $x$: $x - 5$ - Multiply that by 4: $4(x - 5)$ - Add 7: $4(x - 5) + 7$ - This equals 35: $4(x - 5) + 7 = 35$ 4. **Solve the equation:** $$4(x - 5) + 7 = 35$$ Distribute 4: $$4x - 20 + 7 = 35$$ Simplify constants: $$4x - 13 = 35$$ Add 13 to both sides: $$4x - 13 + 13 = 35 + 13$$ $$4x = 48$$ Divide both sides by 4: $$\frac{\cancel{4}x}{\cancel{4}} = \frac{48}{4}$$ $$x = 12$$ 5. **Interpretation:** Sarah's number is 12. **Final answer:** The equation is $4(x - 5) + 7 = 35$ and Sarah's number is $12$.