The algebraic expression for " 3 less than a number" is the same as the algebraic expression for "a number decreased by 3.π Some algebraic expressions contain the equality symbol, = The algebraic expressions 3+2x and (3+2)x do not mean the same thing. The algebraic expression for "the quotient of a number and 6" is the same as the algebraic expression for "the quotient of 6 and a number."