Question 698105
let the unknown number be "x"

the mathematical expression for "five times  the difference between a number and two..." would be:

5(x-2)

the mathematical expression for "...is the same as four times the number"  would be:

   =  4x

so combining the expressions would  lead us to:

5(x-2) = 4x

solving for "x" :

5x - 10  = 4x Distribute  5


5x - 4x = 10  Combining like terms

x =  10       Answer!

Checking: 

5 ( 10 - 2 ) = 4 (10) Substitute the Answer


5 ( 8 )  =  40      

40  = 40     Correct!