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The difference of 8 times a number and 2

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4 votes
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
User Mohsen Mirhoseini
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