A number minus 3 is -8.
An equation that represents this relationship is .
The solution to this equation is x = .
Here is another way to look at it.
What take away 3 will land you at -8 ?
"something" - 3 "is" -8
Rename "something" "x". Realise the "is" means "is equal to" or "=".
x - 3 = -8 Add 3 to both sides:
x = - 8 + 3 = -5
+101 
