need help please

Question

Three times a number minus 8 is equal to 5 times the same number plus 10. What is the number?

Answer 1

When you have a word problem like this, you need to determine the mathematical symbols for all the words.

3 times a number: 3n

Minus 8: - 8

Is equal it: =

5 times the same number: 5n

plus 10: +10

So: 3n - 8 = 5n + 10

Subtract 3n from both sides: -8 = 2n + 10

Subtract 10 from both sides: -18 = 2n

Divide both sides by 2: -9 = n

The number is -9.