To model the problem containing an unknown number, translate the statement into an equation.

Question

 

Sixteen is five less than a number.
 

Which steps would you take to translate the statement?

(1 point)
Responses

Replace “is” with =, “less than” with ÷, and “a number” with n to get 16 = 5 ÷ n.
Replace “is” with =, “less than” with ÷, and “a number” with  n  to get 16 = 5 ÷  n .

Replace “is” with =, “less than” with –, and “a number” with n to get 16 = 5 – n.
Replace “is” with =, “less than” with –, and “a number” with  n  to get 16 = 5 –  n .

Replace “is” with =, “less than” with –, and “a number” with n to get 16 = n – 5.
Replace “is” with =, “less than” with –, and “a number” with  n  to get 16 =  n  – 5.

Replace “is” with =, “less than” with +, and “a number” with n to get 16 = n + 5.

Answer 1

To translate the statement "Sixteen is five less than a number" into an equation, we need to identify how the components of the statement relate to each other.

The phrase "is" can be represented as "=", and "five less than a number" indicates that you subtract 5 from that number, which we can denote as \( n \).

Thus, we can rewrite the statement in algebraic terms:

1. "A number" is represented by \( n \).
2. "Five less than a number" translates to \( n - 5 \).

Putting these together, the equation becomes: \[ 16 = n - 5 \]

So the appropriate step to translate the statement correctly is:

Replace “is” with =, “less than” with –, and “a number” with \( n \) to get \( 16 = n - 5 \).