Is a number less than 10 the same as the difference of a number and 10?

No.

10-x and x-10 are only the same when x=10.

They are not the same because subtraction is not commutative.

Step-by-step explanation:

A number less than 10 is 10-x.

The difference of a number and 10 means x-10.

10-x is not the same as x-10

We can find out when they are the same by solving:

10-x=x-10

Add x on both sides:

10=2x-10

Add 10 on both sides:

20=2x

Divide both sides by 2:

10=x

So they are only the same when x=10.

It is mainly not an identity because subtraction isn't commutative.

Ten more than x x + 10