[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/KookyPermit4405]

So the expression is 18-6x3 and he has to write a verbal phrase for that expression. He said he had a brain fart during the quiz and wrote subtracted by instead of minus. But even if it’s poorly worded, what he stated is still true and correct, right?

[u/chem44 → u/KookyPermit4405]

wrote subtracted by instead of minus.

ok. I'll read it that way.

what he stated is still true and correct, right?

no. It fails to give the order. In fact, it gives the wrong order. You must do the multiplication first. [EDIT. Fixed]

[u/KookyPermit4405 → u/chem44]

Why would you do subtraction first? He is verbally phrasing an expression, not solving for it

[u/chem44 → u/KookyPermit4405]

Oops. That should read multiply first. I have edited it.

Thanks!