Hi

how would this be written in algebra
The difference of 4 and k
4-k or k-4

thank you

 

The order of the expressions in the verbal description, denotes the order of operation. Hence, the difference of 4 and k would be 4-k. Since the 4 comes first in the description, it comes first in the expression. If the statement was the difference of k and 4, the expression would be k-4.

Refer to this source: http://math.about.com/od/algebra/a/How-To-Write-Expressions-In-Algebra.htm

 

If the difference between the two is desired but the order of subtraction is not important I would write it down as the distance between two points on the real line.

That is;
d(4,k)=|4-k| (k is an element of the real numbers)
where |4-k|=|k-4|,
verball [the absolute value of (4-k)]=[the absolute value of (k-4)]

Using this will give you a positive value of the distance between the two, which in the case of real numbers will give you the difference.

Sparky007