Help checking my answer!!

2017 said:

I just need someone to check my answer.

I have to write an equation from the statement and then solve. So...

Two less than a number is -5

Would the equation be 2-n= -5

Then would n=7 ?
I know this is easy stuff... I just need to know if I have it right or not... I don't like being wrong...
Please help me out! Thanks

Click to expand...

lookagain said:

Define your variable.


For example, let n = the number.

The phrase "two less than" means you are decreasing something by 2. (You're adding -2, or you're subtracting 2 from it, for example.)

An equation for this could be:



-2 + n = -5 \(\displaystyle \ \ \ \ \) or


n - 2 = -5


The word "than" has made a big difference here. Suppose the statement had been this instead:

"Two less a number is -5."



Then an equation for that could be:

2 - n = -5

Click to expand...