Question 244538
Since you used no parentheses, I will assume that 
x over 2 minus 1 equal 8 means 
(x/2)-1=8
[It could also mean x/(2-1)=8: x/1=8: x=8]

(x/2)-1=8
add one to both sides
x/2=9
multiply both sides by two
x=18