Problem 24 of 35alg-024
Which of the following expressions represents "4 less than 3 times a number "?
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Solution walkthrough1:34
- Build the phrase one piece at a time. "3 times a number" means multiply the number by : .
- "4 less than" something means start with that thing and take away. So the is subtracted: .
- The words say first, but the comes last in the algebra. "4 less than 10" is , not .
- Test it with a number. If : 3 times 10 is , and 4 less than 30 is . And .
- Traps: copies the word order, subtracts before multiplying, swaps the numbers.