\[\boxed{\mathbf{8.}}\]
\[\textbf{а)}\ x - 40 = 35\]
\[x = 35 + 40\]
\[x = 75.\]
\[Проверка.\]
\[75 - 40 = 35\]
\[35 = 35.\]
\[40 - x = 35\]
\[x = 40 - 35\]
\[x = 5.\]
\[Проверка.\]
\[40 - 5 = 35\]
\[35 = 35.\]
\[66 - x = 20\]
\[x = 66 - 20\]
\[x = 46.\]
\[Проверка.\]
\[66 - 46 = 20\]
\[20 = 20.\]
\[x - 66 = 20\]
\[x = 20 + 66\]
\[x = 86.\]
\[Проверка.\]
\[86 - 66 = 20\]
\[20 = 20.\]
\[\textbf{б)}\ x - 55 = 17\]
\[x = 17 + 55\]
\[x = 72.\]
\[Проверка.\]
\[72 - 17 = 55\]
\[55 = 55.\]
\[55 - x = 17\]
\[x = 55 - 17\]
\[x = 38.\]
\[Проверка.\]
\[55 - 38 = 17\]
\[17 = 17.\]