Question

"The difference of six and twice a
number is five."

Answer 1

Let that number be x.
6-2x=5
2x=1
x=1/2

Answer 2

x = 1/2

Explanation:

twice a number = 2x

difference means subtract 2x - 6 = 5

2x - 6 = 5 Add 6 to both sides.

2x + 6 - 6 = 5 + 6 Combine

2x = 11 Divide by 2

2x/2 = 11/2

x = 5.5

Is the answer different if it is done the other way around for the difference?

6 - 2x = 5 Subtract 6 from both sides

-2x = 5-6 Combine

-2x = - 1 Divide by -2

-2x/-2 = -1/-2

x = 1/2

Yes they are different. Following the way the question is written, I would choose the second method.