Question

Ms. Smart's students wrote verbal expressions for the algebraic expression 4x 18 One of the expressions is INCORRECT. Identify the expression that is incorrect, explain why it does not represent 4x-18 AND EXPLAIN WHY!

A) Tyler's version: 4 minus 18 times x

B) Jeff's version: The product of 4 and x decreased by 18

C) Ann's version: 4 times x minus i8

Answer 1

Let's start with A (the incorrect answer)

4 minus 18 times x would be:

So 4 - 18x

B reads correctly because the product of 4 and x means we multiply the two together (getting 4x) - and then it says to decrease (or subtract) by 18.

So 4x - 18.

C reads correctly because 4 "times" is the same as multiply by x (which is 4x) and then it says minus 18.

So 4x - 18.