1. The problem asks to write the verbal equation "f of x equals x decreased by 5, all squared" as an algebraic equation. 2. "x decreased by 5" means subtract 5 from x, which is written as $x - 5$. 3. "All squared" means the entire expression $(x - 5)$ is raised to the power of 2. 4. Therefore, the algebraic equation is: $$f(x) = (x - 5)^2$$ This means you take the quantity $x - 5$ and multiply it by itself.