Question

select the correct choice that completes the sentence below. the algebraic expression 2 - a represents the phrase \2 by a.\

Explanation:

The algebraic expression \(2 - a\) means we are subtracting \(a\) from \(2\), which can be phrased as "2 decreased by \(a\)" or "2 minus \(a\)". Among the possible operations (like "increased", "decreased", "multiplied", "divided"), the operation that fits \(2 - a\) for the phrase "2 [operation] by \(a\)" is "decreased" (or "minus", but in the context of the phrase structure "2 [x] by \(a\)", "decreased" is appropriate as "2 decreased by \(a\)" is equivalent to \(2 - a\)).

Answer:

The correct operation to fill in the blank is "decreased" (so the phrase is "2 decreased by \(a\)"). If we consider common options for such a fill - in (assuming options like decreased, increased, multiplied, divided), the answer is the option corresponding to "decreased". For example, if the options were A. increased, B. decreased, C. multiplied, D. divided, then the answer would be B. decreased.