seven less than the quotient of a number and 2 equals 8

Question

need to know how to put this into a equation.

Answer 1

Pick the statements apart to find pieces that you can write expressions for.

"Seven less than..." means you're going to subtract 7 from something.

That "something" is a little involved, so let's write an expression for that first:

"... the quotient of a number and 2" means N divided by 2:  N/2

Subtract the 7 from that and set it equal to 8.

N/2 - 7 = 8

Solve for N

N/2 = 8+7 = 15

N = (2)(15) = 30

 

I like to think of this process this way:

1) Read through it once to get the idea of what's going on.

2) Find the pieces.
Read through it looking for small pieces that you can write expressions for.

3) Assembly instructions.

Read through it again to see how to put the pieces together. (Write an equation.)

4) Solve the equation.