Answer:
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
