Question

Expression represents five less a third of a number?

Answer 1

`\frac {1}{3}x - 5`

Explanation:

Let the unknown number be x.

Translating the word problem into an algebraic expression, we have;

`\frac {1}{3}x - 5`

Or

`\frac {x}{3} - 5`

Simplifying further, we have;

`\frac {x}{3} = 5`

Cross-multiplying, we have;

x = 15

Therefore, the above algebraic expression is five less a third of a number.