Question

Define the variable and write an algerbraic expression:
eight pounds less than five times the weight of a chicken

Answer 1

What variable do you want to use?

Answer 2

8

Answer 3

8 is not a variable. 8 is a constant.

Answer 4

How about we use x?

Answer 5

Oh for the missing weight of the chicken?

Answer 6

like we used before, right?

Answer 7

RIGHT!

Answer 8

That sounds like a plan. So x is the weight of the chicken. What does the problem say about the weight of the chicken?

Answer 9

8 pounds less than five times weight of chicken

Answer 10

That's too much. We have to break it down . Just the part about the weight of the chicken

Answer 11

five times weight of chicken

Answer 12

right.

Answer 13

Now remind me what we are using for the weight of the chicken

Answer 14

x

Answer 15

Oh yes. Now I remember. So if we are using x for the weight of the chicken and we need 5 times the weight of the chicken, what should we write?

Answer 16

how about 5x=8?

Answer 17

I like the 5x part. That would be 5 times the weight of the chicken. Now does the problem say that is equal to 8

Answer 18

no how about 5x-8=

Answer 19

I like that. Very good. But you don't need an equal sign because it said to write an expression, not an equation. So 5x-8 will do it.

Answer 20

Thanks Mertsj!

Answer 21

yw