What number is 1000 less than 3512?

2 Answers
Jul 19, 2016

#color(blue)(x)=color(magenta)(2512#

Explanation:

We can set up an equation. First let's identify what each part of the question means:

COLOR CODED IDENTIFICATION

#color(blue)(x# = #"what number"# - use a variable to represent a number that's unknown

#color(orange)(=# = #"is"# - in math, "is" is the same as "equals to", so use an equal sign

#color(green)(1000# = #1000#

#color(red)(-# = #"less than"# - "less than" refers to subtraction (1000 less than 3512)

#color(grey)(3512# = #3512#

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Now let's compose the equation.

#color(blue)(x color(orange)(= color(green)(3512 color(red)(- color(grey)(1000#

All we need to do now is solve. Add.

#color(blue)(x)=color(magenta)(2512#

Use a calculator, mental math, or write out the process. You are subtracting #2,000#, so forget about all the zeroes. Just subtract two from #3# in the #3512

Jul 21, 2016

2512

Explanation:

Breaking the question down into its component parts

What number:#" "-> ?_1#

is:#" "->?_1=#

1000 less#" "->?_1=?_2-1000#

than 3512#" "->?_1=3512-1000#
'~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Writing so that the columns line up we have:

#" "3512#
#" "ul(1000)larr" Subtract"#
#" "2512#