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How do you translate "9 less than three times a number" into an algebraic expression?

1 Answer

Sep 19, 2016

$3 x - 9$ $3x-9$

Explanation:

"9 less than" means you are subtracting 9 from something.

"9 less than 12 is 3" would be written as $12 - 9 = 3$ $12-9 = 3$

In the case the 'something' is three times an unknown number.
Call the number $x$ $x$

Three times the number is $3 \times x = 3 x$ $3xx x = 3x$

"9 less than this" is written as $3 x - 9$ $3x-9$

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