The square of a negative number is 28 more than three times the negative number

Let the number be x, and remember that x is negative.

Then x^2 = 3x + 28. Rearranging terms, x^2 - 3x - 28 = 0

Factoring, (x+4) (x-7) = 0. Solving for x, x=-4 and x=7. Discard x=7.

The answer is x=-4.

Check: Is this true for x = - 4?

" The square of a negative number is 28 more than three times the negative number."

(-4) ^2 = 28 + 3 (-4) or 16 = 28 - 12 yes, this is true.