Question

Eight times the difference of a number and seventeen is thirty

Answer 1

difference of a number and 17: x - 17

eight times that = 8(x - 17)

8(x - 17) = 30

Explanation:

hope this helps

Answer 2

OK. Great. Thanks for sharing. Do you have a question to ask ?

My hunch is that you want to know what the "number" is.
Here's how to set it up and solve it:

"a number" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Q

"The difference of
a number and 17" . . . . . . . . . . Q - 17

"eight times the difference" . . . 8 (Q - 17)

"is thirty" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 (Q - 17) = 30


Eliminate parentheses on the left side:

8Q - 136 = 30

Add 136 to each side: 8Q = 166

Divide each side by 8 : Q = 20.75