A sequence of numbers and asterisks is written on the board: $5,{ }^{*},{ }^{*}, *,{ }^{*},{ }^{*}, *, 8$. Replace the asterisks with numbers so that the sum of any three consecutive numbers equals 20.
The sum of the first three numbers is 20, and the sum of the second, third, and fourth numbers is also 20.

Therefore, the fourth number is equal to the first, which is 5. Similarly, the seventh number is equal to the fourth, so it is also 5. From this, we find the sixth number: ( $20-8-5=7$ ), and then the other numbers.

## Answer

$5,8,7,5,8,7,5,8$.