Question 941940
six less than 3 times the sum of a number n and seven
<pre>
We put in a parentheses around "the sum of a number n and seven" 
and a bracket around 3 times (the sum of a number and 7)":
</pre> 
six less than [3 times (the sum of a number n and seven)]
<pre>
First we express what's in the parentheses:

"the sum of a number n and seven" is expressed as n+7.

So now we have:
</pre>
six less than [3 times (n+7)]
<pre>
Now we express what's in the bracket:

"3 times (n+7)" is expressed as 3(n+7)

So now we have:
</pre>
six less than [3(n+7)]
<pre>
To express six less than something we subtract 6 from it:
</pre>
3(n+7)-6
<pre>
That is the expression, not simplified.

Edwin</pre>