1. **State the problem:** "3 added to x is 5" means $x + 3 = 5$. 2. **Write the equation:** $x + 3 = 5$ 3. **Isolate the variable $x$:** Subtract 3 from both sides to solve for $x$. $$x + 3 - \cancel{3} = 5 - \cancel{3}$$ 4. **Simplify:** $$x = 2$$ 5. **Interpretation:** The number $x$ is 2. **Final answer:** $x = 2$