Eight less than five times a number is four more than eight times the number

Answer 1

Hi, Charmaine.

Ok, so let's turn this into an equation.

5N - 8 = 4 + 8N

Now, solve for N:

3N = -12

N = -4

Answer 2

Hi Charnaine,

Translate it bit by bit

usually what comes after less thank is what you need to start with first

in your situation it would be 5x-8 note that I wrote 8 last.

is basically here translates to equal sign =

what comes after that is translated as 8x+4

so you have the following equation

5x-8 = 8x+4

subtract 4 from both sides 5x-8-4 = 8x+4-4

we get 5x-12 = 8x

subtract 5x to both sides 5x-5x-12 = 8x-5x

we get -12 = 3x

then divide by 3 to get -12/3 = 3x/x

finally we get -4= x