Algebra one solving written equatio

Question

What is 8 times the difference of a number and 3 is 40

Answer 1

8|x-3| = 40

8x-24 = 40

8x = 40+24 = 64

x = 64/8 = 8

the number is 8

or 8(3-x) = 40

24-8x = 40

8x = 24-40

x = -16/8 = -2

the number is either 8 or -2

the "difference of a number and three" is ambiguous and could mean x-3 or 3-x

or both. Go with both or either.

then x=-2, 8