Question

Which phrase represents the algebraic expression x minus 3?

the difference of a number and three

three added to a number

the product of 3 and a number

a number subtracted from three

Answer 1

the difference of a number and three

Answer 2

the easiest way of doing this is turning words into symbols that we recognize:

x minus 3 = x-3

the difference of a number and 3 could be : # - 3 or 3 - #
three added to a number is : # + 3
the product of a number and 3 : 3*#
a number subtracted from 3: 3 - #

only one of these statements matches, x minus 3 (x-3), and that is "the difference of a number and 3" (#-3).