14. Which of the following translates the phrase '5 less than 2 × a number' into a mathematical expression?
Answer: C
2x - 5
The phrase '5 less than 2 × a number' translates mathematically to 2 times a number minus 5, which is expressed as 2x - 5.
A) 5 - 2x
This option incorrectly represents the phrase by suggesting that 5 is being reduced by 2 times the number, rather than indicating that 5 is subtracted from 2 times the number.
B) 5x - 2
This option incorrectly interprets the phrase by multiplying the number by 5 instead of 2, and it also improperly subtracts 2 instead of 5.
C) 2x - 5
This option correctly captures the phrase by indicating that 5 is being subtracted from 2 times a number, accurately reflecting the original statement.
D) 2 - 5x
This option misrepresents the mathematical expression by indicating that 5 times the number is being subtracted from 2, which does not align with the intended meaning of the phrase.
Conclusion
The correct answer, 2x - 5, accurately translates the phrase '5 less than 2 × a number' into a mathematical expression. All other options either misinterpret the multiplication factor or the order of subtraction, failing to represent the original phrase correctly.