Problem 192 - Prealgebra

Question

In the following exercises, translate and simplify. 37 decreased by 24

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

13

Step 1: Understand the Problem

The problem is asking to translate the verbal expression '37 decreased by 24' into a mathematical expression.

Step 2: Translate the Expression

The phrase '37 decreased by 24' translates to the mathematical expression: 37 - 24.

Step 3: Simplify the Expression

To simplify the expression, subtract 24 from 37: 37 - 24 = 13

Key Concepts

Translating Verbal Expressions

Understanding how to translate verbal expressions into mathematical expressions is a key skill in prealgebra. When you see phrases like 'decreased by', 'less than', or 'minus', they all indicate subtraction. For instance, in the problem '37 decreased by 24', we start by identifying the numbers and the operation. Here, '37 decreased by 24' translates to writing the numbers 37 and 24, and then combining them with the subtraction sign:
37 - 24.
This process of translation helps convert words into symbols, making it easier to solve math problems. By practicing this skill, you'll become quicker and more accurate at working with various mathematical expressions.

Simplifying Mathematical Expressions

Once you've translated a verbal expression into a mathematical one, the next step is simplifying it. Simplification means performing the arithmetic operation to get a single, simplified number.
For example, with the expression 37 - 24, we need to subtract 24 from 37. This process involves basic arithmetic and ensures that we resolve the expression to its simplest form, which in this case is:
37 - 24 = 13.
Simplifying expressions helps in understanding the quantity represented and is an essential step in solving more complex problems. The goal is to make math easier to work with by reducing expressions to their most simplified form.

Basic Subtraction

Subtraction is a fundamental mathematical operation used to find the difference between two numbers. It's essential for solving problems in various areas of math. Let's break down the subtraction process:

• Align the numbers vertically: 37 and 24.
• Start subtracting from the rightmost digit (units place):
• 7 - 4 = 3
• Move to the next digit to the left (tens place):
• 3 - 2 = 1

Putting it together, we find that 37 - 24 gives us 13. Breaking down subtraction step-by-step can make the process clearer and easier to understand, especially when dealing with larger numbers or variables. By practicing basic subtraction, you'll gain a stronger foundation for tackling more advanced mathematical operations.