The expression \( 8 - x \) represents a situation where you start with 8 (some quantity) and then decrease that quantity by \( x \) (the amount being subtracted from the original quantity).
Here are the situations that fit this context:
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Gabrielle decreased her eight-minute commute to school by some number of minutes.
- This fits because if her commute was originally 8 minutes and then decreased, the remaining time would be \( 8 - x \) (where \( x \) is the number of minutes decreased).
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Eight servings of lunch decreased by some number.
- This situation also fits as it starts with 8 servings and decreases by some number, leading to \( 8 - x \) servings remaining.
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Jones County has eight fewer elective courses than Smith County.
- This fits as well because if Jones County has a number of elective courses that is \( 8 - x \) (where \( x \) is the number of courses they have fewer than Smith County).
The other options do not conform to the expression \( 8 - x \):
- Sydney increased her collection of stamps by eight. (This is an increase, not a decrease.)
- Benjamin lost eight of his socks. (This indicates he lost all 8, not that he started with 8 and then lost some fewer than 8.)
- Naomi had eight pencils and gave some away to her classmates. (This would mean she has fewer than 8 left, but it doesn’t frame it as \( 8 - x \) because it doesn’t explicitly indicate starting with 8 and subtracting some.)
So, the correct situations that represent the expression \( 8 - x \) are Gabrielle's, the servings of lunch, and Jones County's courses.
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