Objective 15 Word phrases to algebraic expressions ©2002 by R. Villar All Rights Reserved

Word phrases to algebraic expressions To translate words into algebraic expressions, we need to know certain “key words”. Here are the key words for addition and subtraction: + sum, total, more than, increased by, added to, plus, greater than – minus, difference, subtracted by, decreased by, less, less than, subtracted from “less than” and “subtracted from” translate to subtraction in reverse order. Think about this…what number is 2 less than 5? The answer is 3…so you would write 2 less than 5 as 5 – 2

Example: Translate “5 increased by a number n” into an algebraic expression. “increased by” translates to n Example: Translate “thirteen less than w” into an algebraic expression Remember, “less than” translates to subtraction in reverse order. w – 13 Here are the key words for multiplication and division: multiplied by, product of, twice, doubled, tripled, times, half ÷ divided by, the quotient of

“product” translates to multiplication q(r – 2s) “quotient” translates to division 11 ÷ 8 “less than” translates to subtraction in reverse order w – 3 This statement contains 2 “key phrases”... “times” translates to multiplication and “increased by” translates to addition 7e + 11 Examples: Write in symbols. a. The product of q and (r – 2s) b. The quotient of 11 and 8 c. 3 less than w d. Seven times a number e increased by 11.