Six less than the quotient of two and a number "W"
Let's take this step-by-step. First, change the written-out numbers to numerals:
6 less than the quotient of 2 and a number "W"
Next, combine the smallest part. In this case, it would be:
the quotient of 2 and a number "W"
Here, you are finding the quotient of a specific part: 2 and W. When we have specific sections like this in math, we put parentheses around them, like this:
6 less than the quotient of (2 and a number "W")
Now we need to remember what a "quotient" is. This means that there is division between the two numbers mentioned - in this case, 2 and the number W. But which is being divided into which? The number 2 comes first, so we think of 2 as being the first number used. Therefore, we are looking at:
6 less than (2 divided by W)
Division problems are exactly the same as fractions. For example, 3 divided by 1 is the same as 3 ÷ 1, which is also the same as 3/1 (which equals 3). In our case, 2 divided by W is the same as 2/W (your teacher might want this written as 2 ÷ W, but they mean the same thing). Now, we can write the equation as:
6 less than (2/W)
Which can also be written as:
6 less than 2 ÷ W
To finish this up, let's take a step back for a moment Imagine you have 10 jelly beans, and you eat 7 of them. You now have 7 less than 10, or 3 jelly beans. This can also be written as 10-7 = 3.
In our example, we have 6 less than (2/W). If we use the jelly bean equation we found as a starting point, we can change the 7 to 6 and the 10 to (2/W). Then, we get this:
(2/W) - 6
Which can also be written as:
2 ÷ W - 6
And that's your answer! Both of those mean the same thing so they're both correct. Your teacher might prefer you write it one way or the other, though. If this is the case, make sure to choose the solution that best fits your teacher's request.
