Question

Write the English phrase as an algebraic expression. Then simplify the expression. Let x represent the number.A number decreased by the sum of the number and four.

Answer 1

We want to solve the question

A number decreased by the sum of the number and four.

Now we have been told let the number be x.

So we have

`\begin{gathered} sum\text{ of the number and 4 is } \\ (x+4) \\ decreasing\text{ we have } \\ x-(x+4) \end{gathered}`

solving that we have

`\begin{gathered} x-(x-4) \\ x-x+4 \\ 0+4 \\ =4 \end{gathered}`

simplifying, the answer is 4