Twice the difference of a number and 16 is the same as three times a number less than 18

Step-by-step explanation:

Let x be the "number."

"twice the difference of a number and 16" can be written as:  

2(x-16)

"is the same as three times a number less than 18" can be written as:

= 3(x<18)

I wonder if this was meant to say "is the same as three times a number less  18," instead of "less than 18."  If so, we would have:

=3(x-18)

1.  Using the sentence as written:  2(x-16) = 3(x<18)

2.  Using the sentence as amended:  2(x-16) = =3(x-18)

 Going with this interpretation:  

 2(x-16) = 3(x-18)

2x - 32 = 3x - 54

x = 22