Use Words and Phrases to Describe an Algebraic Expression
The verbal descriptions are not limited to the following list.
Algebraic Expression
Verbal Description
x+3
the sum of x and 3
x plus 3
3 greater than x
x increased by 3
3 more than x
y−7
the difference between y and 7
y minus 7
7 less than y
y decreased by 7
7 is subtracted from y
y reduced by 7
0.2z
the product of 0.2 and z
0.2 multiplied by z
0.2 times z
20 percent of z
a
b
the quotient of a and b
a divided by b
the ratio of a and b
Example 1 The sum of a number and 5, then divided by 10.
Example 2 A person’s monthly salary is a dollars. Write an expression for the
person’s annual salary.