Question

Write a variable expression to represent the phrase.

The difference of a number and 1

Short answer

The variable expression that represents the given phrase is $x-1$.

Step-by-step solution

Step-1 – Apply the concept of Variable

In any expression or equation, the variable is an unknown quantity. It may be any alphabet or any special symbol.

Step-2 – Example for the variable

In the expression $2x+3$, the unknown quantity is x. So, the variable in this expression is x. 2 and 3 are constants values.

Step-3 – Identify the variable

Let the unknown number be x.

In order to write the variable expression for the given phrase, subtract 1 from the unknown number x.

So, the variable expression to represent the phrase is $x-1$.