The difference between 2 and twice a number is equal to the sum of a number and 5

Answer: 7 or - 1

Step-by-step explanation: Let the unknown number be x

Since the question did not say " positive " difference, we could interpret the statement in two ways:

1. 2x - 2 = x + 5

collecting the like terms

2x - x = 5 + 2

x = 7

2. 2 - 2x = x + 5

2 - 5 = x + 2x

-3 = 3x

x = - 1

check: for the first one let us confirm if substituting 7 into the equation will give an equal result

2x - 2 = x + 5

2 (7) - 2 = 7 + 5

14 - 2 = 12

12 = 12

you can see that they are equal

Let us confirm the other value too, by substituting - 1 into the equation

2 - 2x = x + 5

2 - 2 (-1) = - 1 + 5

2 + 2 = 4

4 = 4