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

The number is 9

Step-by-step explanation:

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

Let x represent the number

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

Write (x - 5) + (x - 5) is short terms

(x - 5)2 = 8

Where 2 is being multiplied by (x - 5) causing the product to be the same as twice the difference

Now two ways you can solve this:

• Distribution

• Isolating

We’ll do both ways so you can choose which one is easier

Ok let’s do the distribution!!

(x - 5)2 = 8

Multiply 2 out of (x - 5)

2x - 10 = 8

Since a number is being multiplied by 2 and then being subtracted by 10, add 10 to itself and 8 so therefore we can get rid of the subtraction.

2x = 18

Now solve for x!

When x is being multiplied by 2, it equals 18

To do this, divide 18 and 2 by the “coefficient”: the number before the variable. In this case, the coefficient is 2

so x = 9

Now for isolating

(x - 5)2 = 8

Divide 2 by itself and 8

x - 5 = 4

Solve for x (by adding both sides by 5)

x = 9