Which situations can represent the expression 8−x

? Check the three that apply.(3 points)
Responses

Eight serving of lunch decreased by some number.
Eight serving of lunch decreased by some number.

Jones County has eight fewer elective courses than Smith County.
Jones County has eight fewer elective courses than Smith County.

Benjamin lost eight of his socks.
Benjamin lost eight of his socks.

Gabrielle decreased her eight-minute commute to school by some number of minutes.
Gabrielle decreased her eight-minute commute to school by some number of minutes.

Naomi had eight pencils and gave some away to her classmates.
Naomi had eight pencils and gave some away to her classmates.

Sydney increased her collection of stamps by eight.
Sydney increased her collection of stamps by eight.

1 answer

The expression \( 8 - x \) represents a situation where a quantity of 8 is decreased by some number \( x \). Here are the three situations that apply:

  1. Eight servings of lunch decreased by some number.

    • This fits because it indicates that you start with 8 servings and then decrease it by some quantity.
  2. Gabrielle decreased her eight-minute commute to school by some number of minutes.

    • This also fits because it suggests that her original 8-minute commute is reduced by some number, representing the same operation.
  3. Naomi had eight pencils and gave some away to her classmates.

    • This situation applies too, as Naomi starts with 8 pencils and gives away some, thereby reducing the total number of pencils she has.

The other statements do not fit the expression \( 8 - x \):

  • Jones County has eight fewer elective courses than Smith County. (This involves a comparison rather than a straightforward decrease.)
  • Benjamin lost eight of his socks. (This is a loss of a fixed amount, not a decrease from 8.)
  • Sydney increased her collection of stamps by eight. (This indicates an increase, not a decrease.)

So the correct answers are:

  1. Eight servings of lunch decreased by some number.
  2. Gabrielle decreased her eight-minute commute to school by some number of minutes.
  3. Naomi had eight pencils and gave some away to her classmates.