Question

Translate the following algebraic expression question into words: $4b-3$

Answer 1

Hint: We will consider the unknown variable as an unknown number. And on the basis of this unknown number, we will express other numbers. Numbers multiplied with the unknown number will be considered first. Then the operation. And finally, the number on which the unknown number acts under the given operation.

Complete step by step solution:
Let us consider given algebraic expression $4b-3.$
Now, we need to consider the unknown variable in this expression. We will take it as the unknown number. So, instead of using the unknown variable, we will say a number.
So, as we can see, the variable, here, is $b.$ So, we will call $b$ a number.
Since we have $4b,$ we can say that $4$ is multiplied to $b.$
So, either we can say product of $4$ and a number $b$ or we can say $4$ times $b.$
Let us use the second expression for convenience.
So, we will get $4$ times a number.
Now, we can see the operation is subtraction.
We can say that subtract $3$ from $4b.$ Or we can say the difference of $4b$ and $3.$
But we know that we call the symbol minus. So, in order to specify that $3$ is subtracted from $4b,$ we will use $4b$ minus $3.$
So, this will become $4$ times a number minus $3.$
Hence the word phrase corresponding to the given algebraic expression is $4$ times a number minus $3.$

Note: We should always remember that the conversion takes place back and forth in Mathematics. That is, we can convert an algebraic expression to the corresponding word phrase as we can convert a word phrase into the corresponding algebraic expression.