How do you write the expression for quotient of 4 and a number x increased by 6?

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Answer 1 · 2017-01-12T17:38:48

Without punctuation, the expression is ambiguous.

The quotient of 4, and a number increased by 6: $" "4/(x+6)$

The quotient of 4 and a number, increased by 6: $" "4/x +6$

This is a good example of how a lack of any punctuation make the meaning of the sentence ambiguous:

"Quotient" is the answer to a division.

The following are possible interpretations of the given expression.
Let the number be $x$

The quotient of 4, and $color(blue)("a number increased by 6")$ : $" "4/color(blue)((x+6))$

The quotient of $color(red)("4 and a number")$ , increased by 6: $" "color(red)(4/x) +6$

It is important to be able to write math which is given in English
in a mathematical form, keeping the meaning exactly the same.