How do you translate "8 times a number, x, decreased by y" into a algebraic expression?

1 Answer
SagarStudy
Jan 3, 2016

#8*x-y#

Explanation:

Let me divide the dialogue in two parts
#(i)# 8 times a number x.
#(ii)#decreased by y.

#(i)#
"8 times" means "8 multiplies by", "a number x" means "the number with which 8 is being multiplied is x".

Therefore, "8 times a number x" means "8 multiplied by x"
#8*x#

(ii)
"decreased" means "minus", "by y" means "y"
Therefore, "decreased by y" means "#-y#"

Therefore, the whole sentence represents #8*x-y#.

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