Question

How do you write an expression for the words, "Divide 144 by 12, and then subtract 14"?

Answer 1

(144`divide`12) - 14

Explanation:

Divide means `divide`
Therefore we have: 144`divide`12

Subtract means -
Therefore we now have: 144`divide`12 - 14

BUT you always do the subtraction before you do the division in an equation, and the words say "then subtract", meaning you are to subtract after you do the division. Since you always take care of what is in the parentheses before subtracting, put parentheses around the 144`divide`12.

So we have (144`divide`12) - 14