I'm confused between using the terms "less than" in translating statements and phrases to expressions. What's the answer when the statement says:thrice a number less than fifty? I'm asking because sometimes expressions could be easily get just by putting "a" after "less than". Like seven less than a number. Please enlighten me.

48 is 2 less than 50

50-x is x less than 50

thrice a number less than fifty is 50-3x

7 less than a number is x-7