Twice the difference of a number and 8 is equal to three the sum of the number and 5

Answer 1

Twice the difference of a number and 8 is equal to three the sum of the number and 5

Hi Heather,

Let's use the variable, x, to represent the unknown number.

The keys words in this problem are:

"twice": means multiply by 2

"difference": indicates subtraction

"is equal to" : represented by equal sign =

"three times": I assume you forgot the word, times, means multiply by 3

"sum" : indicates addition

The following equation can then be written:

2(x - 8) = 3(x +5)

You can solve this equation as follows to find the missing number, x:

2x - 16 = 3x + 15

2x - 16 + 16 = 3x + 15 + 16

2x = 3x+31

2x - 3x = 3x + 31 - 3x

-1x = 31

-1x/-1 = 31/-1

x = -31

Let me know if you more help or would like ti schedule sessions .

Have a good day.

Irene Rooney