Maria and her friend go to movie actors next day they each get a drink that cost five dollars in a popcorn of cost eight dollars Maria she could use the equation 2×5+8 = 18 to find the cost explain why she is not correct

The 2x5+18 = 18 is not correct, as the 2x does not apply to the +8 part (the whole equation). The equation Maria has given actually means they bought 2 drinks, but only 1 popcorn. The actual equation must be 2(5+8) = 26.