Do the phrases 6 less a number y and 6 less than a number y mean the same thing? Explain. A. No, they do not both mean the same thing. 6 less a number y can be represented by the expression 6 - y. 6 less than a number y can be represented by the expression y - 6. B. Yes, they both mean the same thing. They can also both be represented by the expression y - 6.