Step-by-step explanation:
Let's assume that that question is meant to read:
" 5 times a number increased by 18 is the same as 36 more than 4 times the number. Â Find the number ".
Let the variable "x" (i.e. the lower-case letter ex]—represent the unknown number—for which we are asked to solve.
If the question/problem is meant to read:
 "  5 times a number increased by 18 is the same as 36 more than 4 times the number.  Find the number ".
Then, treat the problem as:
 " 5 times [a number increased by 18] " ; {is the same as}:  " 36 more than [4 times the number]".  Find the number ".
Note that: Â " {is the same as:}" ; Â means: Â "equals:} ;
So: Â "...[a number; that is, an unknown number; that is, "x" ; Â increased by "18" ]" ; Â would be represented by: Â "[x + 18]" .
5 times that value would be represented as:
 →  5* (x + 18) ;  or:  "  5(x + 18) " .
Then we add the: Â " = " ["equals"] sign:
Then, we consider: Â "... 36 more than [4 times the number]" .
  4 times the [unknown number]:  would be written as:
     →  " 4 * x " ;  or simply:  " 4x " .
→  "36 more than this [the above value; i.e. "4x" ;  would be represented by adding "36" to said value; as follows:
     →  " 4x + 36 " ;
Now we can:
 1)  Write our expression as an equation;  and then:
 2)  Solve for the value for "x" ; our unknown number.
 Here is the expression, as an equation:
 →  5(x + 18) =  4x + 36 ;
Now, solve for "x" ;
Start with the "left-hand side" of the equation:
     →  5(x + 18) ;
Let us expand this expression.
Note the "distributive property" of multiplication:
  →  a(b+c) = ab + ac .
As such: Â " 5(x + 18) = (5 * x) Â + Â (5 * 18) " Â = 5x +120 .
Now, rewrite the equation:
 →  5x + 120 = 4x + 36 ;
Let us subtract "36" from each side of the equation; & subtract "4x" from each side of the equation:
            →  5x + 120  =   4x  +  36 ;
             - 4x  -  36  =  - 4x  -  36
          Â
     to get:     1x +  54  =    10 ;
Rewrite as: Â Â Â " x + 54 = 10 " Â ;
→  {Since:  "1x = x " ; Â
    → {since:  (" 1 * [any numerical value] = that same numerical value"};
    Note that this refers to the "identity property of multiplication."
 → Â
 → We have:  " x + 54 = 10 " ;  Solve for "x" ;
Subtract "54" from Each Side of the equation;
 to isolate "x" on one side of the equation; & to solve for "x" ;
    →  " x + 54 - 54 = 10 - 54 " ;
 to get:  " x = -44 " .
 The number is " - 44 " .
Let us substitute this value into our equation; Â to check our work:
→  5(x + 18) =  4x + 36 ;
→  5(-44 + 18) ≟ 4(-44) + 35 ??  ;
→  5(-26) ≟ -176 + 35 ?? ;
→  -130  ≟ -176 + 35