Question

algebra: concepts and connections - plc
investigating rational and irrational numbers
which phrase represents the algebraic expression ( 5a - 9 )?

• the sum of five times a number and five
• the product of five times a number and nine
• the difference of five times a number and nine
• the difference of nine times a number and five

Explanation:

The algebraic expression $5x - 9$ first takes five times a number $x$, then subtracts 9, which matches the phrase describing the difference of five times a number and nine.

Answer:

the difference of five times a number and nine