The word is divides the sentence into what should be on the left-hand side and what should be on the right-hand side of the equation.
Equation: n - 4 = - 15 Solution: n = - 11
Practice makes perfect
We have been given a sentence and we need to translate it into an equation.
4 less than a number n is - 15.
Every equation has an equals sign and values or expressions on either side of it. Key phrases, such as is,is equal to, and equals tell us about the placement of the equals sign.
4 less than a numbern
is
- 15.
⇕
4 less than a numbern
=
- 15.
On the left-hand side we have one key word: less. This word tell us the operation that will be used in our equation. Less than indicates subtraction.
4less than a numbern
n - 4
Putting the sides together, we have a complete equation.
n - 4 = - 15
Finally, we can solve the equation using the Addition Property of Equality.
