How do you write the mathematical expression for "3 less than the Square of a number p"?

1 Answer
May 1, 2016

p^2 -3

Explanation:

We are told that the number being referred to is called p.

The square of the number is p^2

3 less than this means subtract 3 from p^2

Hence p^2 -3

Note that the following would mean something completely different:
The square of 3 less than p,

This would be written as: (p - 3)^2