Translate the phrase into a math expression.

Question

12 less than twice a number

Responses

2⋅(n−12)
2 times left parenthesis n minus 12 right parenthesis

2⋅n−12
2 times n minus 12

12−2⋅n
12 minus 2 times n

2⋅n÷12

Answer 1

The phrase "12 less than twice a number" can be translated into the math expression:

2⋅n - 12

This means you first calculate twice the number (2n) and then subtract 12 from that result.

Answer 2

is the n-12 in parentheses

Answer 3

No, the expression for "12 less than twice a number" should not have parentheses around \( n - 12 \) because we are not subtracting from \( n \) first.

The correct expression is:

2n - 12

This indicates that you first double \( n \) (twice a number) and then subtract 12. Using parentheses like \( 2(n - 12) \) would change the meaning to "twice the quantity of \( n - 12 \)," which is not what the original phrase describes.

So, to clarify, the correct mathematical expression for "12 less than twice a number" is: \[ 2n - 12 \]