Question

What is the right translation of these expressions and equations? (with solution)

1. 7 - 2m
2. 3( m + 2) = 15
3. 5m - m(2 - m)

Answer 1

7 - 2m can be translated to "7 minus two times m" or "the difference between 7 and twice m".

3(m + 2) = 15 can be translated to "three times the sum of m and 2 is equal to 15" or "the product of 3 and the sum of m and 2 is 15".

To solve the equation, we can start by distributing the 3 on the left side:

3(m + 2) = 15

3m + 6 = 15

Then, we can subtract 6 from both sides:

3m + 6 - 6 = 15 - 6

3m = 9

Finally, we can divide both sides by 3:

3m/3 = 9/3

m = 3

Therefore, the solution to the equation 3(m + 2) = 15 is m = 3.

5m - m(2 - m) can be translated to "5m minus the product of m and the difference between 2 and m" or "the difference between 5m and m times the quantity 2 minus m".

To simplify the expression, we can use the distributive property to expand the second term:

5m - m(2 - m) = 5m - 2m + m^2 = m^2 + 3m

Therefore, the simplified expression is m^2 + 3m.