Question

Eight times the difference of a number and 2 is the same as 3 times the sum of the number and 3

Answer 1

Let us "translate" the words into algebra, step by step:

x = the number

Difference of a number and 2:  (x - 2)

Eight times the difference of a number and 2:  8(x - 2)

The sum of the number and 3:  (x + 3)

Three times the sum of the number and 3:  3(x + 3)

Eight times the difference of a number and 2 is the same as 3 times the sum of the number and 3:

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

Now just solve for x.

8x - 16 = 3x + 9

5x = 25

x = 5

The number is x = 5