9/18/06
Translating verbal phrases into algebraic language, using letters to
represent variables, and understanding algebraic terms and vocabulary.
 What is a variable?
 Another name for a variable is?
 What is a domain or replacement set of a variable?
 What is an algebraic expression?
 An algebraic expression is also called?
 Verbal Phrases Involving Addition
 a + b may be used to represent several different verbal phrases, such as:
 Ex:

A numerical expression:

An algebraic expression:
 Verbal Phrases Involving Multiplication
 a x b, a b, (a)(b), and ab may be used to represent several different
verbal phrases such as:
 The preferred form to indicate multiplication in algebra is?
 The multiplication symbol x is avoided in algebra because:
 The raised dot is also avoided because:
 Parentheses are used to write numerical expressions: (3)(5)(2) or 3(5)(2).
 Note:
 Verbal Phrases Involving Division:
a
 a  b and
may be used to represent several different verbal phrases,
b
such as:
 Phrases and Commas
 Using a comma can prevent:
 Ex: “the product of x and y, decreased by 2,” the comma after y makes it
clear that the phrase means:
 Ex:
 Use mathematical symbols to translate the following verbal phrases into
algebraic language:
1.
2.
 Using the letter n to represent “a number,” write each verbal phrase in
algebraic language.
1.
2.
 Translate each verbal phrase into algebraic language, representing the
two numbers by L and W, with L being the larger.
1.
2.
 To write an algebraic expression involving variables:
 Ex:
 Represent each answer in algebraic language, using the variable
mentioned in the problem.
1.
2.
3.
 What is a term:
 An algebraic expression involving a sum or difference has more than one
term. For example:
 What are factors:
 When we factor numbers, we write only factors that are:
 What is a coefficient?
 What is a numerical coefficient?
 Ex:
 Note: When the word coefficient is used alone, it usually means a:
 It is understood that the coefficient of x is:
 Ex:
1.
2.
3.
4.
 What is a power:
 What is a base:
 What is an exponent:
 Ex:
 For each term name the coefficient, base, and exponent.
1.
2.
 Name the factors of each product.
1.
2.
 Name the numerical coefficient of x.
1.
2.
 Write each expression using exponents.
1.
2.
 Write each term as a product without using exponents.
1.
2.
 TOD: What is an algebraic expression and give an example.
 HWK: