Problem 524 - Prealgebra

Question

Translate and simplify. Twenty-three less than forty-one

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

18

Step 1 - Identify key terms

Identify the two key numbers and the operation needed. Here, 'twenty-three' is 23, 'forty-one' is 41, and 'less than' means subtraction.

Step 2 - Set up the expression

Rewrite the phrase as a mathematical expression. Since 'twenty-three less than forty-one' means subtracting 23 from 41, the expression is: 41 - 23.

Step 3 - Perform the subtraction

Calculate the result of the subtraction: 41 - 23 = 18.

Key Concepts

subtraction

Subtraction is one of the basic arithmetic operations used in mathematics to find the difference between two numbers. It involves taking away one number from another. The number from which we are subtracting is known as the minuend, and the number being subtracted is called the subtrahend.
Let's use the exercise to understand subtraction better:
In the expression 'twenty-three less than forty-one', 41 is the minuend, and 23 is the subtrahend. Performing the subtraction means we take 23 away from 41. This can be shown as:
\[41 - 23 = 18\]
This simple operation allows us to determine that there are 18 units more in 41 compared to 23.
Understanding subtraction is important because it is used in various real-life situations, such as figuring out how much money you have left after spending a certain amount or calculating how much time remains before an event starts.

mathematical expressions

Mathematical expressions use numbers, variables, and operation symbols to represent a value or a relationship between values.
The exercise asks us to translate the phrase 'twenty-three less than forty-one' into a mathematical expression. The translation steps are critical:

• 'Twenty-three' translates to 23.
• 'Forty-one' translates to 41.
• 'Less than' indicates the subtraction operation.

By combining these elements, we form the expression:
\[41 - 23\]
Mathematical expressions help simplify and solve problems by representing complex ideas in a concise and standard form.
It is crucial to interpret phrases correctly and understand how to set up such expressions to successfully solve various types of problems.

problem-solving steps

Breaking down problems into clear steps is essential for accurate and efficient problem-solving.
Let's review the steps to solve the given exercise:

1. Identify key terms: Understand and extract the important numbers and operations from the problem statement. For 'twenty-three less than forty-one', we recognize the numbers 23 and 41, and the operation 'less than' indicates subtraction.
2. Set up the expression: Convert the words into a mathematical expression. Here, it translates to 41 - 23.
3. Perform the subtraction: Finally, execute the arithmetic operation to find the answer. Subtract 23 from 41 to get 18.

These steps ensure that every part of the problem is addressed, reducing the likelihood of errors and improving understanding. Using a systematic approach to problems helps in building a strong foundation for more complex mathematical concepts.