The expression \( 8 - x \) represents a situation where you start with a quantity of 8 and then decrease or lose some amount \( x \). Here are the three correct situations that fit this description:
-
Naomi had eight pencils and gave some away to her classmates. - This fits because she starts with 8 pencils and loses some (represented by \( x \)).
-
Gabrielle decreased her eight-minute commute to school by some number of minutes. - This situation fits because she starts with an 8-minute commute and decreases it by some amount (\( x \)).
-
Jones County has eight fewer elective courses than Smith County. - This works as well; if we let the number of elective courses in Smith County be \( x + 8 \), then Jones County has \( x \) courses, thus representing a loss.
The incorrect options are:
-
Benjamin lost eight of his socks. - This does not fit because it represents a total loss of 8, rather than starting from 8 and losing some.
-
Sydney increased her collection of stamps by eight. - This situation doesn't fit because it describes an increase rather than a decrease.
-
Eight serving of lunch decreased by some number. - This is unclear and doesn't directly represent the expression as it doesn't align with the format of starting from a known quantity of 8 and subtracting something from it in a clear manner.
Thus, the three correct situations are:
- Naomi had eight pencils and gave some away to her classmates.
- Gabrielle decreased her eight-minute commute to school by some number of minutes.
- Jones County has eight fewer elective courses than Smith County.