Question

Eight years after a house was constructed, a patio was added. How old, in years, is the patio if the house is x years old?

Answer 1

Writing a mathematical expression

An equation is another way to express a real situation.

In this case, "eight years after a house was constructed, a patio was added" means that the patio is 8 years "younger" than the house. It has 8 years less than the house.

The house is x years old, the patio is 8 years less than x.

Then, the patio is

x - 8

Answer: x - 8