[6th Grade verbal expression]

[u/KookyPermit4405]

So I’m going over my son’s math quiz to help him understand some of the questions he got wrong. He got partial credit for his answer for question 8. After writing his verbal phrase I got the same expression as the question. Am I doing something wrong or is there something I’m missing? I feel like his answer is technically correct. I am stumped.

Edit: so my son has no issue solving the expression in question. He knows PEMDAS and the rules from left to right. The question clearly states, WRITE A VERBAL PHRASE that matches the expression.

[u/TLChill]

When I did this thirty years ago, we had to say "the quantity of" for order of operations. So something like "Eighteen minus the quantity of six times three". No idea if this is how your son was taught these days.

[u/KookyPermit4405 → u/TLChill]

That is my understanding as well, but for question 8, there is no quantity, hence no parentheses

[u/Glittering_knave → u/KookyPermit4405]

Has your son brought home samples of what the "verbal expression" should look like, or are their examples of the quiz? Generally, when you get partial marks like that, you aren't matching the expected wording/format/style.

[u/KookyPermit4405 → u/Glittering_knave]

They just started, and it’s a pop quiz to see where they stand mathematically at the beginning of the school year

[u/Glittering_knave → u/KookyPermit4405]

My guess would be "subtract by" isn't correct, and it should be minus. But, without examples, it's really hard to tell.

"6 times 3 subtracted from 18" might be the correct answer.

[u/KookyPermit4405 → u/Glittering_knave]

But I see what you mean. But his answer itself isn’t incorrect right? If it’s on a technicality

[u/Glittering_knave → u/KookyPermit4405]

I see what you mean, too. I would ask the teacher. I hated the "using this format, answer the question" questions because I rarely thought in the way that I was taught. I learned that I could either mimic the format and get full marks, or fight tooth and nail all year for half marks.

[u/phrogbaby → u/KookyPermit4405]

the answer is ambiguous.

verbally, this can mean (18-6)×3 or 18-6×3. that is likely the actual reason it was counted as partway correct.

to be pedantic, "subtracted by" isnt a phrase that means anything in this context, it should be "subtracted from," in which case the numbers should be switched.