Question

Explain the difference in meaning between each of the following pairs of expressions :

$x-2y$ and $(x-2)y$

Answer 1

The word diminished means subtracted.

$2y$ can be written as twice of $y$.

$x-2y$ means $x$diminished by twice of $y$.

Also, For $(x-2)y$,

$(x-2)$ refers to $x$ diminished by $2$.

So, $(x-2)y$ can be written as $x$ diminished by $2$ multiplied by $y$.

Final Answer : Therefore, The difference in each pairs of expressions is that $x-2y$ is written as $x$diminished by twice of $y$ and $(x-2)y$ can be written as $x$ diminished by $2$ multiplied by $y$.