The number of students dropping out of school last year was m. Number of students dropping out of school this year is m − 30.
The number of students dropping out this year is 30 less than the number of students dropped last year.
Step 1: Let the number of students who dropped out last year be ( m ).
Step 2: The number of students who dropped out this year is given as ( m - 30 ).
Step 3: Compare the two numbers:
Last year: ( m )
This year: ( m - 30 )
Step 4: Find how much smaller this year’s number is:
( m - (m - 30) = 30 )
Conclusion: This year, the number of students dropping out is 30 less than last year.
Quick check (example): If ( m = 120 ), then this year it is ( 120 - 30 = 90 ). So 90 is 30 less than 120 — correct.