Identify the symbolic interpretation of the statement: Five less than a number is three.
A) $5 - x = 3$
B) $x - 5 = 3$
C) $x + 5 = 3$
D) $\frac { x } { 5 } = 3$

Question

Identify the symbolic interpretation of the statement: Five less than a number is three. 
A) $5 - x = 3$
B) $x - 5 = 3$
C) $x + 5 = 3$
D) $\frac { x } { 5 } = 3$

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The phrase "five less than a number" translates to x - 5, and "is" means equals, so we have x - 5 = 3. Option A has the numbers in the wrong order, option C has a plus sign instead of a minus sign, and option D has division by 5 instead of subtraction by 5.

Identify the Symbolic Interpretation of the Statement: Five Less Than 5−x=35 - x = 35−x=3

Identify the Symbolic Interpretation of the Statement: Five Less Than $5 - x = 3$