Matthew C. answered 05/13/19
Proficient SAT Math Tutor
Let's solve this by dissecting the individual phrases:
"Four less than..." This means we will be subtracting 4 from some quantity: - 4
"One-half of a number m..." This means we will be taking some number, m, and halving it: (1/2)m
"...is equal to a number n." This means the previous 2 phrases combined will equal some number, n: = n
By combining all three phrases, the equation becomes:
(1/2)m - 4 = n