Question

translate the verbal phrase and interpret, letting n represent the value(s)
fewer than four writers

translate the verbal phrase. choose the correct answer below.
a. n = 4,5,6,7...
b. n = 0,1,2,3
c. n = 1,2,3
d. n = -3, -2, -1,0

interpret the phrase. choose the correct answer below.
a. there can be a negative number of writers. there could be negative three, negative two, or zero writers. writers cannot be represented with a fractional number.
b. there cannot be a negative number of writers. there could be zero, one, two, or three writers. writers cannot be represented with a fractional number.
c. there cannot be a negative number of writers. there could be a minimum of four writers, and there is no limit on the maximum number of writers. writers cannot be represented with a fractional number.
d. there cannot be a negative number of writers. there could be one, two, or three writers. writers cannot be represented with a fractional number.

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze "Fewer than four writers"

"Fewer than four" means \( n < 4 \). Since the number of writers must be a non - negative integer (you can't have a negative number of writers, and you can't have a fraction of a writer), the possible values of \( n \) are \( 0,1,2,3 \). So for the translation part, option B (\( n = 0,1,2,3 \)) is correct.

Step2: Analyze the interpretation

• Option A is wrong because we can't have negative number of writers.
• Option B: It says there can't be a negative number of writers, and the possible number of writers is zero, one, two, or three (which matches \( n=0,1,2,3 \)) and also states that writers can't be represented with a fractional number. This is correct.
• Option C is wrong because "fewer than four" means less than four, not a minimum of four.
• Option D is wrong because it says "one, two, or three" but also excludes zero, but zero is a valid number of writers (e.g., if there are no writers).

Answer:

Translation: B. \( n = 0,1,2,3 \)
Interpretation: B. There cannot be a negative number of writers. There could be zero, one, two, or three writers. Writers cannot be represented with a fractional number.