How do you translate "7 less than twice a number and k" as an algebraic expression?

1 Answer
Jun 3, 2018

#2nk - 7#

Explanation:

Here are a couple hints to turn this into an equation:

  1. "Less than" means subtraction, whereas "more than" means addition.
  2. Saying "twice a number" means that you are multiplying that number by 2

I will put the "7 less than" last, since it will be subtracted from the rest of the equation:

"twice a number"
#rArr color(blue)(2n)#

"and k" (This means that it is twice #n# and twice #k#, or they are both multiplied by 2)
#rArr 2n color(blue)k#

But this is lessened by #7#:

"7 less than"
#rArr 2nk color(blue)(- 7)#

So the phrase translated into an equation is:

#2nk - 7#