1. **State the problem:** Chloe thinks of a number less than 15. She multiplies it by 2, subtracts 4, then divides the result by 3, and the final answer is 2. We need to find the original number. 2. **Set up the equation:** Let the number Chloe thinks of be $x$. According to the problem: $$\frac{2x - 4}{3} = 2$$ 3. **Solve the equation:** Multiply both sides by 3 to eliminate the denominator: $$2x - 4 = 6$$ Add 4 to both sides: $$2x = 10$$ Divide both sides by 2: $$x = 5$$ 4. **Check the solution:** - Multiply 5 by 2: $2 \times 5 = 10$ - Subtract 4: $10 - 4 = 6$ - Divide by 3: $6 \div 3 = 2$ The final answer matches the problem statement. 5. **Conclusion:** Chloe started with the number $5$, which is less than 15 as required.