# What number is 1000 less than 3512?

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 = $\text{what number}$ - use a variable to represent a number that's unknown

color(orange)(= = $\text{is}$ - in math, "is" is the same as "equals to", so use an equal sign

color(green)(1000 = $1000$

color(red)(- = $\text{less than}$ - "less than" refers to subtraction (1000 less than 3512)

color(grey)(3512 = $3512$



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:

$\text{ } 3512$
$\text{ "ul(1000)larr" Subtract}$
$\text{ } 2512$