To determine which situations represent the expression \( 8 - x \), we need to identify examples where there is an original quantity of 8 that is then decreased by some amount \( x \).
Here are the relevant situations:
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Gabrielle decreased her eight-minute commute to school by some number of minutes.
- This situation describes starting with 8 minutes and reducing that time by some number \( x \), which aligns with the expression \( 8 - x \).
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Jones County has eight fewer elective courses than Smith County.
- This situation implies that there is a total of \( 8 \) fewer courses compared to an unknown quantity, suggesting a subtraction involving the number of courses.
-
Naomi had eight pencils and gave some away to her classmates.
- Here, Naomi starts with \( 8 \) pencils and gives away some \( x \) pencils, which again reflects \( 8 - x \).
The other options do not align with the expression \( 8 - x \). Here are the explanations for the rest:
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Sydney increased her collection of stamps by eight.
- This implies an increase, not a decrease, so it doesn't fit.
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Eight servings of lunch decreased by some number.
- This is somewhat ambiguous but doesn't clearly denote an original quantity of 8 being subtracted by a variable \( x \).
-
Benjamin lost eight of his socks.
- This is a loss of 8, not a situation involving subtracting from an initial value of 8.
Therefore, the three statements that apply are:
- Gabrielle decreased her eight-minute commute to school by some number of minutes.
- Jones County has eight fewer elective courses than Smith County.
- Naomi had eight pencils and gave some away to her classmates.