The sum of 8 and a number is 8 + x. Now multiply that by 4 to get 4(8 + x). The word "is the same as" means "equals" 59 more than the number, which means we add 59 to the unknown we have called x. So our equation now looks something like this (exactly like this, actually): 4(8 + x) = x + 59. Simplifying a bit gives us 32 + 4x = x + 59. 3x = 27 and x = 9. The number is 9!
