Kevin,

I can help get you started.

Here is Duwayne's work.

First number

line 1 ______

multiply by 3

result: line 2 ______

add 18

result: line 3 ______

divide by 8

answer: 9

The subject line of your email was "work backward" and that's the way I would solve this. In the last step he took the number in line 3, divided it by 8 and got the answer 9. What number was in line 3? Once you know this ask yourself, what number was in line 2?

Continue.

I hope this helps,
Penny