Suppose the number = x
Then, algebraically written, it would be:
2x - 3 = 8
Now we just solve this for x:
2x - 3 = 8
Adding 3 to both sides:
2x - 3 + 3 = 8 + 3
2x = 11
Dividing both sides by 2:
2x/2 = 11/2
x = 5.5
Proof:
We shall check it by substituting the value of x in the original equation:
2x - 3 = 8
2(5.5) - 3 = 8
11 - 3 = 8
8 = 8
This proves that our solution was correct :)
I hope this helps, I tried to be as descriptive as possible.
