324 times z, reduced by 12 is z. Take this algebraic expression in pieces: 324 times z means we multiply 324 by the variable z. 324z Reduced by 12 means we subtract 12 from 324z 324z - 12 The word is means we have an equation, so we set 324z - 12 equal to z 324z - 12 = z <-- This is our algebraic expression