70.9k views
2 votes
Translate this phrase into an algebraic expression.

72 decreased by twice a number
Use the variable n to represent the unknown number.

Translate this phrase into an algebraic expression. 72 decreased by twice a number-example-1
User Orangutech
by
6.4k points

2 Answers

5 votes
72-2n is your answer :)
User Manuel R
by
5.9k points
11 votes

Hey there!

The answer is 72 - 2n.

"twice a number" represents a number multiplied by 2. So we have "2n"

"decreased by twice a number" would mean subtracting twice a number, or subtracting "2n".

"72 decreased by" means that we are subtracting the number FROM 72, so we get "72 - 2n".

Have a super awesome day! :)

User Marian Gibala
by
5.6k points