Find the error for mistake

Question

Joe translated "the difference of fifteen and the product of five and a number, y" as 5y-15. Explain his mistake and fix his error.

Answer 1

Helen,

The word "difference" doesn't mean to swap the order of the terms. For example, "the difference of 9 and 4" should be translated to 9 - 4. This is important with subtraction, because 9 - 4 = 5, but 4 - 9 = -5 (negative), so the order of the terms matters. Hope this helps.

-Andre