How do you write the mathematical expression for "3 less than the Square of a number p"?

1 Answer
EZ as pi
May 1, 2016

#p^2 -3#

Explanation:

We are told that the number being referred to is called #p#.

The square of the number is #p^2#

3 less than this means subtract 3 from #p^2#

Hence #p^2 -3#

Note that the following would mean something completely different:
The square of 3 less than #p#,

This would be written as: #(p - 3)^2#

Related questions
See all questions in Variable Expressions
Impact of this question
30960 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License