Question

How do you translate "7 less than twice a number and k" into a mathematical expression?

Answer 1

There are two different interpretations:

`2x+k - 7" or "2(x +k) -7`

Explanation:

In the absence of any punctuation which would indicate exactly what is meant, this statement could be read as:

"7 less than, twice a number and k"

"7 less than ...." means subtract 7 from a number.

"Twice a number means "2 times a number"
"Twice a number and `k` means add `k`.

Use `x` as the number.

Putting these phrases together gives

`2x+k - 7`

the statement could also be read as:

"7 less than, twice, a number and k"

`2(x +k) -7`