Question

Mrs. Nelson asked students in her class to translate the statement “Remy lost some of the $14

his mom gave him” into an algebraic expression. Four students’ solutions are shown below.

Alice: 14−x
Bobby: x−14

He had $14
, then he lost (subtraction) an unknown amount (x) .

He had an unknown amount of money and (x) he lost (subtraction) $14
.

Camila: 14>x

Daniel: 14 ) the unknown amount (x) he lost.

He had $14
less than (<) the unknown amount (x) he lost.

Which student’s solution is correct?

Answer 1

Answer: Alice (14-x)

Explanation:

Alice's reasoning is correct.

Remy begins with $14--then loses "some of the $14." "Some of the $14" implies the value of the lost money is unknown, so it makes sense to represent it with a variable.

Therefore, 14-x represents how Remy started with $14 but lost an unknown amount, x.