when 8 is added to the number that is produced by doubling the number x, the result is equal to 8 times the number that is 5 less than x. Wh

Thanks for clarifying, I took it that "the number" on the left was 2x; and so in the right side of the equation, inside the parenthesis, "the number" 2x is subtracted by 5 and then it is mulitiplied by 8.

But I see now, thanks!

OK.....so we have

2x + 8 = 8(x - 5)   And expanding gives

2x + 8 = 8x - 40   Subtract 8x from both sides and 8 from both sides

-6x =-48               Divide both sides by -6             

x = 8

Cphil, when you plug 8 back into the equation as x, it doesn't check out to be true.

What I meant to say/ask was, why isn't 2x inside the parenthesis, because if it is then 8 doesn't work in the equation.

The question, as I interpreted it, is that 8 is being added to the number produced by doubling x

So doubling x  gives us  2x

And adding 8 to it gives

2x + 8

Substituting 8 into the problem, we get

2(8) + 8 = 8(8 -  5)

16 + 8 = 8(3)

24 = 24

That's all I've got !!!