Question

How do you write the verbal phrase given: x/4- 17?

Answer 1

a number `x` divided by four, minus seventeen
or
seventeen less than a quarter of a number `x`
or
a quarter of `x` take away seventeen

Explanation:

There's a variable in the expression so we can just say "a number `x`".

We are dividing that unknown number by four, so we can say `x` divided by four, or since dividing by four is multiplying by one fourth, we can say one fourth of `x` or a quarter of `x` (especially since 'of' in math means multiplication).

Then we have to subtract seventeen. We could leave it as minus seventeen at the end, or we could say seventeen less than a fourth of `x` or take away seventeen.

As can be seen, there are numerous ways to go about 'verbalizing' the expression, or any expression for that matter. Think creatively!