Because the statement includes the phrase "eight less" and not "eight less than," we are subtracting _______________ .
8 - a number
a number - 8
30 - 8
8 - 30

Question

Because the statement includes the phrase "eight less" and not "eight less than," we are subtracting _______________ .
  8 - a number
 a number - 8
 30 - 8
 8 - 30

zeronknight · Answer

I honestly have no clue, I'm confusing myself.

zepdrix · Answer

Hmm, I'm not sure either.
`eight less` and `eight less than` should give the same result...
Uhhhhhhh

wcrmelissa2001 · Answer

no it's not

wcrmelissa2001 · Answer

i believe it's a number - 8? Since 8 less means erm subtract 8

zepdrix · Answer

I think they both mean `a number` - 8.
I don't quite understand the distinction :\ Hmm

zeronknight · Answer

so would it be 30-8 or  8- is what I'm so confused about :\

zeronknight · Answer

Could you explain what eight less than means in a problem so I know for the future?

zeronknight · Answer

It's the number -8,. but how would that play out exactly in a problem?

agent0smith · Answer

"8 less" would mean it's something like "8 less the quantity of..." ie. 8 - x, or 8 minus something

As opposed to "8 less than", which means subtracting 8.

zepdrix · Answer

Oh interesting :o I've never seen that before

astrophysics · Answer

That is `9 less`quantity of 21

astrophysics · Answer

that is 9 less than the quantity of 21

agent0smith · Answer

I'm not saying it isn't a poor way of wording it. But this looks like an incomplete question anyway.

astrophysics · Answer

Yeah I'm trying to make sense of it haha

zepdrix · Answer

`9 less than 21`
21-9

`9 less 5`
9-5

I dunno, it sounds logical to me :D
Just a weird way of saying it.
It's like we use the word "less" to mean "subtract" in the second example I gave.

astrophysics · Answer

Ah that makes a lot more sense

agent0smith · Answer

It's one of those things they use in college algebra classes, with overly wordy phrases like "8 less the sum of x and 2". I think I've seen it before. It's also possible that I'm just making it up and agreeing with my own line of thought.

astrophysics · Answer

I think I've seen it the way zep has worded it, like 9 less 5 meaning 9 - 5, I just can't remember but it always sounds weird

zeronknight · Answer

@agent0smith  So 8 less is basically saying 8-4 or something?

agent0smith · Answer

Yes

zeronknight · Answer

SO the answer is the first choice 8 - X

zeronknight · Answer

aka 8 - a number XD

zeronknight · Answer

@agent0smith

agent0smith · Answer

lol yes

agent0smith · Answer

Based on what you posted anyway. It doesn't look like you posted the whole question.