The difference between a number x and 19 is 27

Answer 1

Hi, Kyla.

I assume that you've been asked to translate the given sentence into an algebraic statement. If so, you must translate the words in the sentence into symbols. The word "difference" indicates that you are to subtract, but you must be careful because the expressions a - b and b - a are not the same thing. (For instance, 3 - 2 = 1, but 2 - 3 = -1.) The convention we follow is that the first number mentioned, which is x in this case, is used first in the subtraction expression, so the expression is x - 19 and not 19 - x,

Now that you have the subtraction expression x - 19, you just translate "is 27" as "= 27". This results in the equation x - 19 = 27.

Doug

Answer 2

Hello, Kyla.

The difference is the answer to a subtraction problem. So the difference between x and 19 is:

x - 19

So, for this problem:

x - 19 = 27

Now, solve for x:

x - 19 + 19 = 27 + 19

x = 46