Answer: So the total score was 8.

Step-by-step explanation:

Let's call the total score "x".

The highest score was 2/7 of the total score:

x * 2/7 = highest score

The next highest score was 2/7 of the remainder, which is x - highest score:

(x - highest score) * 2/7 = next highest score

The difference between the two scores is 8 runs:

highest score - next highest score = 8

We can substitute the expressions for highest score and next highest score in terms of x into the above equation:

x * 2/7 - (x - x * 2/7) * 2/7 = 8

Expanding and simplifying the equation:

x * 2/7 - x * 2/7 + x * 2/7 * 2/7 = 8

x * (2/7 + 2/7 * 2/7) = 8

x * (2/7 + 2/7 * 2/7) = 8

x * (2/7 + 2/7 * 2/7) = 8

x = 8 / (2/7 + 2/7 * 2/7)

Calculating the denominator:

2/7 + 2/7 * 2/7 = 2/7 + 4/49 = 46/49

Finally, substituting the denominator back into the expression for x:

x = 8 / 46/49

Cross multiplying to simplify the fraction:

49x = 8 * 49

Solving for x:

x = 8 * 49 / 49

x = 8

So the total score was 8.