Problem 523 - Prealgebra

Question

Translate and simplify. Seventy-four decreased by eight

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

66

Step 1: Translate the phrase into a mathematical expression

The phrase 'Seventy-four decreased by eight' means that 8 is subtracted from 74. This can be written as: 74 - 8

Step 2: Perform the subtraction

Now, solve the expression by subtracting 8 from 74: 74 - 8 = 66

Step 3: Simplified result

The simplified result of the expression is 66.

Key Concepts

subtraction

Subtraction is one of the basic arithmetic operations that involve taking away one number from another. In this exercise, we are decreasing a number, which means we are subtracting. If you visualize, imagine having 74 apples, then removing 8 apples. You end up with a total count of 66 apples.
The subtraction in mathematical terms can be expressed as 74 - 8. Here, 74 is the minuend (the number from which we subtract), and 8 is the subtrahend (the number to be subtracted). The result is called the difference, which in this case is 66.
Subtraction is not just taking away; it helps to understand balance and difference. It teaches how much smaller or how much is left when noting differences.

translating phrases to math expressions

Translating phrases into math expressions is a crucial skill in problem-solving. It bridges language and mathematics, making it easier to perform calculations. Consider the phrase 'Seventy-four decreased by eight'. To translate this:

• Identify the numbers mentioned: 74 and 8.
• Recognize the action word 'decreased by', which suggests subtraction.
• Form the mathematical expression: 74 - 8.

Understanding how to translate words into math expressions makes solving problems more straightforward. It helps with various problem-solving scenarios beyond just basic arithmetic.

simplification

Simplification in math means reducing an expression to its simplest form. After translating a phrase to a math expression, the next step is to simplify it.
For example, once we have the expression 74 - 8:

• Perform the subtraction: 74 - 8 = 66.
• The simplified result is 66, which is the most reduced form of the operation.

Simplification helps in presenting the answer in the easiest and most understandable form. It involves calculating the operations and reducing any complex expressions to a simpler, more digestible result for clarity and understanding.