Question

How do you write the algebraic expression: 3 less than the quotient of 20 and x?

Answer 1

Hint: We start solving the problem by making use of the fact that the quotient of 20 and x is the result obtained when 20 is divided with x. We then subtract 3 from the obtained result, so that the final result will be 3 less than the present result. We then write the final result in the equation form to get the required answer.

Complete step by step answer:
According to the problem, we are asked to write the given algebraic expression in the form of equation: 3 less than the quotient of 20 and x.
We know that the quotient of 20 and x is the result obtained when 20 is divided with x which is $\dfrac{20}{x}$.
Now, we need 3 less than the obtained result $\dfrac{20}{x}$. This means that we have to subtract 3 from the obtained result.
So, the final result is $\dfrac{20}{x}-3$.
$\therefore $ We have found the equation form of the given algebraic expression: ‘3 less than the quotient of 20 and x’ as $\dfrac{20}{x}-3$.

Note:
Whenever we get this type of problem, we first recall the required definitions which makes the process of solving the process easier. We should not subtract $\dfrac{20}{x}$ from 3 which is the common mistake done by students. We should keep in mind that the representation $\dfrac{a}{b}$ equals the quotient when a is divided by b while solving this type of problems. Similarly, we can expect problems to write the algebraic expression: 5 more than the quotient 50 and y.