Answer
a) $x-8$
b) $8 \lt x$
Work Step by Step
a) To translate the given sentence into an expression, we will use x for the unknown number. "8 less than a number" requires us to subtract 8 from the number, x. We start with x and subtract 8 from it. Therefore, the expression is: $x-8$
b) To translate the given sentence into an expression, we will use x for the unknown number. "8 is less than a number" is an inequality expressing that 8 is less than a number, x. Therefore, we will use the "less than" sign, and our expression is: $8 \lt x$