The algebraic expression for "3.2 less than a number m" is represented as ( m - 3.2 ). Here, ( m ) denotes an unknown number, and subtracting 3.2 from it reflects the concept of being "less than." Therefore, ( m - 3.2 ) succinctly captures the given situation.
The algebraic expression for the situation "3.2 less than a number m" can be written as m - 3.2. In this expression, we are subtracting 3.2 from the variable m to represent the idea of being "less than."
To elaborate, when we say "a number m," we use the variable m to represent an unknown number. The phrase "3.2 less than" indicates that we need to subtract 3.2 from that unknown number. Therefore, m - 3.2 captures the concept of a number reduced by 3.2.
In this algebraic expression:
- The variable m represents the unknown number.
- The subtraction operation (-) signifies the action of being "less than."
- The constant 3.2 represents the specific value subtracted from the unknown number.
Hence, m - 3.2 serves as the algebraic expression that corresponds to the situation described.