When 122 is decreased by five times a number the result is equal to the number increased by 20 What is the number?

Let the number be ( x ). The equation based on the problem is ( 122 - 5x = x + 20 ). Rearranging gives ( 122 - 20 = 6x ), or ( 102 = 6x ). Dividing both sides by 6, we find ( x = 17 ). Thus, the number is 17.