Question

the local park has 4 bike racks . Each bike rack can hold 15 bikes . There are 16 bikes in the bike racks.What expression shows the total number of empty spaces in the bike racks ?

Answer 1

Let

x-------> the total number of empty spaces in the bike racks

y------> the total number of spaces in the bike racks

z-------> the total number of bike in the bike racks

we know that

$x=y-z\\ y=15*4=60\\ z=16$

$x=y-z\\ x=60-16\\ x=44$

therefore

the answer is

the total number of empty spaces in the bike racks is $44$

the expression is equal to

$x=4*15-16$

Answer 2

4 x 15 = 60 - 16 = 44