What if mac bought8pack of toy boats and then he gave his friend 3boats? if mac has 13 boats now, how many boats were in each pack?

To solve for this, we need to set up an algebraic equation.
We have 8 packs of toy boats, meaning there are a specific amount of toy boats per pack, so we have to multiply 8 by a variable, x. Considering this is the total, too, we should let this sit at the end of the equation (=8x). Mac gave his friend 3 toy boats, meaning we will be subtracting 3 from our equation, but this will be on the other side of the equation with 8x (-3). We also have a current total of 13 toy boats after Mac gave away 3 boats, meaning that 13 will have to sit alone (+13). 
With this information, let's set up an equation. With what we have, the equation will look like this:
8x - 3 = 13
Now all we have to do is solve for x. To start this off, we should add 3 to both sides to isolate the variable.
8x = 13 + 3; simplify.
8x = 16; All that is left is to divide both sides by 8 and we will have figured out how many toy boats were in each pack.
8x / 8 = x; 16 / 8 = 2.

We are left with our answer, x = 2. That being said, there were 2 toy boats per pack.

I hope this helps!