SOLUTION: Write the corresponding algebraic expression or equation for the verbal statement. Let x represent the unknown number.
1 less than four times the sum of a number and 2
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1 less than four times the sum of a number and 2
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Question 1123048: Write the corresponding algebraic expression or equation for the verbal statement. Let x represent the unknown number.
1 less than four times the sum of a number and 2
"1 less than...": you are subtracting 1 from something else.
(???) - 1
***NOTE*** Beginning algebra students often want to try to translate each word or phrase into a mathematical symbol without paying attention to the meaning of the words. They end up translating "1 less than..." as "1 - ???" because the "less than" (the minus sign) comes after the "1". But clearly the meaning is that the 1 is what is being subtracted.
"1 less than four times...": you are subtracting the 1 from 4 times something else.
4*(???) - 1
"1 less than four times the sum of...": you are subtracting the 1 from 4 times the sum of two (or more) things.
4*(???+???) - 1
"1 less than four times the sum of a number and 2": the sum in the expression is the sum of the unknown number (x) and 2.
