Final answer:
Subtraction and division are not commutative, which means only one phrase can correctly describe an algebraic expression involving these operations. For instance, '4 - p' is correctly expressed as 'four minus a number'. The order specificity in these operations reinforces their non-commutative nature.
Step-by-step explanation:
Algebraic expressions involving subtraction or division have only one correct phrase because subtraction and division are not commutative operations, meaning the order in which the numbers are used affects the result. For the algebraic expression '4 - p', it is described as 'four minus a number' because if we were to reverse the order and say 'a number minus four', it would imply the expression 'p - 4', which is not the same as the original expression. Similarly, division is not commutative, so 'dividing by x' implies a specific order, meaning '1/x' is not the same as 'x/1'.
When working with negative exponents, such as '3-4', this can be rewritten as '1/(34)' according to the rule of negative exponents. When subtracting exponents during division, like in '106 divided by 103', we subtract the exponents to get '103'.
These operations must be performed with careful consideration to the order of numbers or terms involved. This order specificity is why there can only be one phrase that correctly describes an algebraic expression involving subtraction or division.