When four times a number is decreased by 8 , the result is 20 . What is the number? The number is \( \square \).

To solve for the number, let's start with the equation formed from the problem statement. If we call the unknown number \( x \), we can represent the situation as \( 4x - 8 = 20 \). Adding 8 to both sides gives us \( 4x = 28 \). Dividing both sides by 4, we find \( x = 7 \). So the number is \( 7 \). Using basic algebra can often reveal solutions more quickly than other methods. Remember, when working through word problems, it's helpful to clearly define your variables and translate the word phrases into mathematical expressions step by step. This structured approach can prevent you from making common mistakes.