Translating Verbal Phrases to Expressions/Equations
Key Words help us to know what operations to work with. Here are some below.
Addition
Subtraction
Multiplication
Division
Equals
added to-write
subtracted from-write
backwards
backwards
multiplied by
divided by
Results in
sum of
difference of
product
quotient
equals
Plus
minus/subtract
times
divided into
Is/was
more than-write
less than-write
backwards
backwards
double, triple, quadruple
ratio of
yields
Per/each
is the same as
Of
increased by
decreased by
*finding a percent of or a fraction of a
number also indicates that you multiply
totals
less
twice
combined
separated
remain
Is equivalent
to
Unknown quantities should always be written as a variable.
*Replace the word “and” with the operation indicated and write what you see—unless there is a turn-around phrase.
1. Circle the operation
3. Box in any expression indicating an equation.
2. Underline the unknown
4. Write the expression or equation.
Examples:
Phrase – Written Language
1. Eight more than some number
2. One-fourth of a number is 12
3. Two more than four times some number
4. Eight less than some number is 16
5. Five less than the product of two numbers
6. Twenty-five percent of some number yields 50
7. Seven less than three times some number equals 65
8. Three times the sum of a number and 18
Expression/Equation
Translating Verbal Phrases to Expressions/Equations
Translating Phrases into Equations and Expressions
1. Circle the operation
3. Box in any expression indicating an equation.
2. Underline the unknown
4. Write the expression or equation.
Directions: Translate the following phrases into mathematical expression or equations.
1. The sum of a number and ten.
1. __________________________
2. The difference between 5 and a number.
2. __________________________
3. Six less than the product of a number and 7
3. __________________________
4. Eighteen more than a number.
4. __________________________
5. Five times a number is 75.
5. __________________________
6. A number divided by 14 equals 16.
6. __________________________
7. 5 more than a number.
7. __________________________
8. The sum of a number and 12 is 16.
8. __________________________
9. Sixteen less than twice a number.
9. __________________________
10. Two-thirds of a number.
10. __________________________
11. Five divided by a number is 5
11. __________________________
12. Six less than three times a number.
12. __________________________
13. The difference of a number and eight divided by
ten.
14. 45% of a number
13. __________________________
15. 10 times a number is equal to 60.
15. __________________________
16. Sixteen less than the sum of three and a number.
16. __________________________
17. A number is decreased by 9.
17. __________________________
14. __________________________
Translating Verbal Phrases to Expressions/Equations
18. Five more than the sum of a number and 7.
18. __________________________
19. The product of a number and three.
19. __________________________
20. Twice the sum of five and a number.
20. __________________________
21. The difference between 18.5m and 9.03m.
21. _________________________
Write two expressions and then find their sum or difference
22. Sue earns $15.95 per hour (h) plus a $100 bonus. Steve earns $ 8.50 per hour (h) plus a
$300 bonus.
If they combine their incomes, how much does the household make?
*The variable is already defined for you.
Sue’s income:
Steve’s income:
Their income combined:
23.
John has 6 boxes of b baseball cards, and 17 addition cards. Mark has 4 boxes of b
baseball cards, and 200 addition cards. What’s the difference between them?
*The variable is already defined for you.
John’s amount of cards:
Mark’s amount of cards:
The difference in their amount of cards:
Translating Verbal Phrases to Expressions/Equations
Exit Pass
Translate each phrase into an expression or equation.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Six less than twice a number is forty-five.
A number minus seven yields ten
The total of six and some number
Twelve added to a number
Eight times a number is forty-eight
The product of fourteen and a number
Twice a number minus eight
Three-fourths of a number
Four times the difference of a number and seven
Homework: Worksheet 1-17