The product of 5 and the difference of a number and 1

Step by step

The question

Question: write with math signs: the product of 5 and the difference of a number and 1.

1 Change words to math

2 Put it in order

The difference is one amount, so it goes in brackets.

5 × (n − 1) is written 5(n − 1): the number goes in front, with no × sign.

So we get 5(n − 1).

3 Check

Let's check with a number.

Say the number is 10.

The product of 5 and the difference of 10 and 1 is 45.

And 5(10 − 1) is 45 too.

So 5(n − 1) is right!

Let's look back.

First: change words to math.

Then: put it in order.

Last: check.