The square of a positive number decreased by 4 times the number is 12. find the positive number. [only an algebraic solution will be accepted.]

The math translation is: x^2-4x=12

So then you can subtract 12 from both sides and solve as a quadratic equation.

X^2-4x-12=0

This factors into:

(X-6)(x+2)=0.

So then the answer would be 6 or -2.