Question

How do you express the phrase “y minus 12” as an algebraic expression?

Answer 1

Hint: We first try to make the given written statement in its mathematical form. We assume the variable $x$ to as the required number. Then we form the relationship. We then solve the given linear equation by simplifying the equation with the help of the binary operation. We get the value of the variable as the solution. We apply the binary operation of subtraction. To get the value of $y$, we need to add the value of 12 to $x$.

Complete step-by-step solution:
The given statement about the required number is y minus 12. we take the solution as $x$.
Let’s assume the required number is $x$. Then we have that 12 less than $y$ is $x$. This means if we subtract 12 from the number $y$, then we get $x$.
We form the mathematical statement as $y-12=x$.
Therefore, the algebraic expression is $y-12$.
We can find the value of $y$ if we are taking the variable $x$ into consideration. The use of the variable $x$ is not necessary.
So, we add 12 to both sides. We get
$\begin{align}
  & y-12+12=x+12 \\
 & \Rightarrow y=x+12 \\
\end{align}$
Therefore, the value of $y$ is $x+12$.

Note: We can also solve the system according to the value of $x$. As the required number is equal to $y-12$, we can say that $y-12=x$. Now in that case we are taking the extra variable which is unnecessary. But we can mention the variable to make it a single equation form.