"the product of x and y decreased by 2”, which answer is correct? x(y-2)or xy-2? please!

1 answer

I would parse it as

the product of x and y: xy
decreased by 2: -2

so, xy-2

The language is ambiguous. I guess a purist would say that the lack of a comma makes it mean x(y-2) and that

the product of x and y, decreased by 2 would mean xy-2

Aren't you glad we use algebra instead of English?