Question

What number is 1000 less than 3512?

Answer 1

`color(blue)(x)=color(magenta)(2512`

Explanation:

We can set up an equation. First let's identify what each part of the question means:

COLOR CODED IDENTIFICATION

`color(blue)(x` = `"what number"` - use a variable to represent a number that's unknown

`color(orange)(=` = `"is"` - in math, "is" is the same as "equals to", so use an equal sign

`color(green)(1000` = `1000`

`color(red)(-` = `"less than"` - "less than" refers to subtraction (1000 less than 3512)

`color(grey)(3512` = `3512`

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Now let's compose the equation.

`color(blue)(x color(orange)(= color(green)(3512 color(red)(- color(grey)(1000`

All we need to do now is solve. Add.

`color(blue)(x)=color(magenta)(2512`

Use a calculator, mental math, or write out the process. You are subtracting `2,000`, so forget about all the zeroes. Just subtract two from `3` in the #3512

Answer 2

2512

Explanation:

Breaking the question down into its component parts

What number:`" "-> ?_1`

is:`" "->?_1=`

1000 less`" "->?_1=?_2-1000`

than 3512`" "->?_1=3512-1000`
'~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Writing so that the columns line up we have:

`" "3512`
`" "ul(1000)larr" Subtract"`
`" "2512`