Algebraic Expressions and Translating Words into Algebraic Expressions and Equations

In Other Words

WORDS I N T O MATH

The following slides show how many words in word problems can be translated into Math Symbols. The translations shown are not always the only translations and there may be others more appropriate for each word problem you encounter. However, the examples in the next slides typify the most common translations of words into Math Symbols.

MATH WORDS = is

MATH WORDS = is of

MATH WORDS + more

MATH WORDS + more less

MATH WORDS product

MATH WORDS product quotient FRACTION

MATH WORDS sum

MATH WORDS sum difference

MATH WORDS twice

MATH WORDS Twice as many

MATH WORDS Twice as many Three times as many

MATH WORDS Twice as many Three times as many Triple

MATH WORDS Half of

MATH WORDS Half of Half as many

MATH WORDS One third of

MATH WORDS One third of A third as many

Algebraic Expressions Translating Verbal Expressions into Algebraic Expressions EXAMPLES

The sum of x and 5

3 less than twice y

Ten plus the product of 5 and a

FRACTION The quotient of p and 7

Translating Sentences into Algebraic Equations EXAMPLES

The sum of a number and 5 is 11

The sum of a number and 5 is 11

Let x represent the number The sum of a number and 5 is 11 11

Seven is 3 less than twice a number

Seven is 3 less than twice a number 7

Let x represent the number Seven is 3 less than twice a number 7

One-fourth of a number is 5 less than the number itself

One-fourth of a number is 5 less than the number itself

Let x represent the number One-fourth of a number is 5 less than the number itself

One-fourth of a number is 5 less than the number itself

One-fourth of a number is 5 less than the number itself

One-fourth of a number is 5 less than the number itself

Translating Word Problems into Algebraic Equations EXAMPLES

The length of a rectangle is 50 meters. This is 6 meters more than twice the width. Find the width.

50 The length of a rectangle is 50 meters. This is 6 meters more than twice the width. Find the width. 50

50 The length of a rectangle is 50 meters. This is 6 meters more than twice the width. Find the width. 50

50 The length of a rectangle is 50 meters. This is 6 meters more than twice the width. Find the width. 50

50 Let w represent the width The length of a rectangle is 50 meters. This is 6 meters more than twice the width. Find the width. 50

50 Let w represent the width The length of a rectangle is 50 meters. This is 6 meters more than twice the width. Find the width. 50 We could solve this equation to find the width.

Next Example

A medium orange has 70 calories. This is 10 calories less than one fourth of the calories in a Sugar Krunchy. How many calories are in a Sugar Krunchy?

70 A medium orange has 70 calories. This is 10 calories less than one fourth of the calories in a Sugar Krunchy. How many calories are in a Sugar Krunchy? 70

70 A medium orange has 70 calories. This is 10 calories less than one fourth of the calories in a Sugar Krunchy. How many calories are in a Sugar Krunchy? 70

70 A medium orange has 70 calories. This is 10 calories less than one fourth of the calories in a Sugar Krunchy. How many calories are in a Sugar Krunchy? 70

70 A medium orange has 70 calories. This is 10 calories less than one fourth of the calories in a Sugar Krunchy. How many calories are in a Sugar Krunchy? 70

70 A medium orange has 70 calories. Let k represent the number of calories in a Sugar Krunchy A medium orange has 70 calories. This is 10 calories less than one fourth of the calories in a Sugar Krunchy. How many calories are in a Sugar Krunchy? 70

70 A medium orange has 70 calories. Let k represent the number of calories in a Sugar Krunchy A medium orange has 70 calories. This is 10 calories less than one fourth of the calories in a Sugar Krunchy. How many calories are in a Sugar Krunchy? 70 We could solve this equation to find the calories.