One of your classmates was absent on the day that you learned how to write and solve an equation from a contextual situation. your teacher has asked you to explain the four steps and their application to the problem that follows.

natasha stole three fewer bases than twice the number elena stole. if natasha stole 15 bases, how many did elena steal?

using the four steps, write and solve an equation to find the number of bases elena stole.
the 4 steps:
choose a variable to represent the unknown.
write an equation.
solve the equation.
check the solution for reasonableness.