TRANSLATING
•Word Phrases to Algebraic Expressions
•Writing Equations
•Translating Equations into Sentences
Phrases and symbols that suggest
adding and subtracting.
ADDITION
•
•
•
•
•
Sum
Total
Added to
Increased by
More than

SUBTRACTION
•
•
•
•
Difference
Subtracted from
Decreased by
Less than

Phrases and symbols that suggest
multiplying and dividing.
MULTIPLICATION
• Product
• Times
• Multiplied by
 ( ) 
Try to stay away from
using the symbol “X”.
Why?
Because it looks
like a variable.
DIVISION
• Quotient
• Divided by

a
b
a
b
Write in symbols
1)
• The quotient of (u + 2v) and w.
(u  2v)
2)
w
(u  2v)
w
• The product of 1 and 13
1 13 1  13 1(13) (1)(13)
Remember, stay away from the
multiplication symbol “x”
3) 19 less than w
w  19
When using the
Phrases
More than
Added to
less than
subtracted from
4) 13 subtracted from d
d
 13
TURN THE
SYMBOLS
AROUND
5) 10 meters added to the perimeter
p
 10
6) Eight more than a number
n8
Writing Equations and Formulas
Words or phrases that suggest “ = “
Translating
Equations
Has 3
Steps
7) Nine times a number subtracted from
95 equals 37.
Let “n” represent “a number”
95  9n  37
3
Steps
8) Twice the number x decreased by
eight equals seventy.
Let “x” represent “the number”
2x  8  70
Watch Out!!
We’re not using the
Less than or
More than phrase
So translate in
order.
9) The perimeter of a square equals four times
the length of the side.
P  4( s )
or P  4 s
10) The circumference (C) of a circle equals
the product of 2, π, and the radius (r).
C  ( 2 )(  )( r )
or C  2 r
11) The square of the hypotenuse (c) is equal to
the sum of the squares of the legs (a) and (b).
c  ab
2
2
2
When translating from symbols into words, there is
more than one way to translate an equation.
12) Translate into words the expression
4m – 19
• The product of 4 and a number “m”
decreased by 19.
• 4 times a number “m” minus 19.
• 19 subtracted from 4 times a number “m”
• The difference of 4 times a number “m”
and 19.
13) Translate into words the expression
3y + 15 = 14
14) Translate into words the expression
12 – 2x = -5
15) Translate into words the expression
A = ½ bh