How do you write the algebraic expression given "the quotient of 14 and the difference between a number and -7"?

2 Answers
Aug 2, 2017

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

"the quotient" means to divide.

"the quotient of 14" means 14 is going to be divided by something. So we can write:

#14 -:#

The something it will be divided by is "the difference between a number and -7".

Lets call "a number" #n#.

"the difference" means we are going to subtract something from #n# and what we are going to subtract is a #-7#. We can write this as:

#n - (-7)#

Putting this together gives:

#14 -: (n - (-7))#

Or

#14/(n - (-7))#

Aug 2, 2017

#14/abs(n+7)#

Explanation:

The "quotient" just means the result of division.

I've interpreted the question with the following qualifications:

  • "the quotient of ... and the difference...# means "the quotient of ... divided by the difference (as opposed to the quotient when the difference of ... is divided by 14)
  • "the difference between a number and -7" means the absolute difference (it could mean the difference of a number minus -7; or the difference of a number subtracted from -7)

If we represent "a number" by the variable #n#
this gives us the answer shown above.