Help: 4 more than the quotient of 24 and a number x?
- Thread starter Samsal06
- Start date
- Joined
- Feb 4, 2004
- Messages
- 16,582
You "have no idea how to do" what, exactly? You have posted an expression, without any instructions.
When you reply, please mention recent topics of study in your math class, as this may help us understand what is meant to be going on here. Thank you!
Please write that as a mathematical equation.
Dr.Peterson
Elite Member
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2017
- Messages
- 16,619
My guess is that you were asked to write an expression representing that phrase.
If you are struggling with that, please try this easier example: Write an expression for "4 more than a number x". Then try this: "the quotient of 24 and x". Then put those together. But show us your attempt at any part of this.
pka
Elite Member
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2005
- Messages
- 11,976
[imath]4+\dfrac{24}{x}[/imath] is the mathematical translation of the posted.
What that means is anyone's guess.
[imath][/imath][imath][/imath][imath][/imath]
Harry_the_cat
Elite Member
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2016
- Messages
- 3,760
Not that it matters but I would have written it literally as \(\displaystyle \frac{24}{x} + 4\).
Interesting ... to me ""4 more than" is the operation that comes last.
Interesting ... to me ""4 more than" is the operation that comes last.
Dr.Peterson
Elite Member
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2017
- Messages
- 16,619
I do the same, and tell students that although it makes no difference in this case, it does make a difference for "4 less than", so it's a good habit to develop. I think, What am I starting with, and what am I doing to it?
In other words, when I see "4 more than ...", I think, "4 more than what?", and hold off on the addition until I've written down the what.
It's important to learn what is commutative (that is, what you can ignore), but it is also important to separate that property from the basics of interpretation, and not just lazily ignore order from the start.
Your problem here is (24/x) + 4, but is there any equals sign with a value?
Dr.Peterson
Elite Member
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2017
- Messages
- 16,619
The problem evidently is to write an expression that represents the given phrase:
Students typically are taught first how to write expressions, and then to use them to write equations. No equation is needed here.
They often need to learn the difference between "problem" (a task to accomplish), "expression" (a combination of variables and constants that can be evaluated, in principle, to give a number), and "equation" (a statement that two expressions are equal, which can be true or false).
Otis
Elite Member
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2015
- Messages
- 4,592
Hi. This exercise does not involve solving an equation. (This is the 'Pre-Algebra' board.)
It is an exercise to practice translating English into mathematical expressions.
(Edit: Another cross-post with Dr. Peterson, heh.)
[imath]\;[/imath]