
The word “decreased” indicates the symbol “
”.
The word “equals” indicates the symbol “
”
Let
resents the number.
Rewrite the sentence into equation,
\
The equation is 
According to addition property of equality: Add 77 to each side.
\
(Apply additive inverse property:
)
(Apply additive identity property:
)
(Add:
)
Check:
\To check the solution, substitute
in original equation.

(Subtract:
)
Compare the values, the equation is true. The solution is
.
The number is
.