a number decreased by the difference between three times the number and three

Question

Translate phrase into algebraic expression and simplify

 

Answer 1

Start by choosing a variable for the number.  Let's use x.

 

Decode the terms.

decreased means subtraction

difference is the answer in a subtraction problem 

3 times the number (multiply by 3)

 

So you have a number (x) decreased by (-) the difference between 3 times the number and 3 (3x-3)

 

x-(3x-3)