Vocabulary Associated with Algebraic Expressions
CONTEXT OF LESSON/PRE-REQUISITE KNOWLEDGE:

Students have been introduced to translating verbal expressions to algebraic expressions.
They have learned terms/phrases for addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and
exponents.
 Students should know what an operation is and know the difference between an
expression and equation.
 Students should be able read and comprehend basic math vocabulary, take notes, and
listen attentively during direct instruction (20-30 minutes). Additionally, students should
be able to work in small learning groups and remain on task with minimal redirection for
up to 20 minutes.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:



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Students will learn vocabulary associated with algebraic expression, including: variable,
term, constant, and coefficient.
Student will be able to identify a variable, term, constant, coefficient, and an algebraic
expression or equation.
Students will be able to translate verbal phrases into algebraic expressions and algebraic
expressions into verbal phrases.
Students will be able to write, read, and evaluate algebraic expressions in which letters
stand for numbers.
CCGPS STANDARDS OF LEARNING:
Interpret expressions that represent a quantity in terms of its context. (Emphasis on linear
expressions and exponential expressions with integer exponents.) (DOK 2)

MCC9-12.A.SSE.1

MCC9-12.A.SSE.1a Interpret parts of
an expression, such as terms, factors, and coefficients.(Emphasis on linear
expressions and exponential expressions with integer exponents.) (DOK 2)
Vocabulary
o Algebraic Expression—contains at least one variable, one number and one
operation. An example of an algebraic expression is n + 7.
o Variable—a letter that is used in place of a number. Sometimes, the variable will
be given a value. This value will replace the variable in order to solve the equation.
Other times, the variable is not assigned a value and the student is to solve the
equation to determine the value of the variable.
o Constant—a number that stands by itself. The 7 in our previous vocabulary term
is an example of a constant.
o Coefficient—a number in front of and attached to a variable. For example, in the
expression 8x + 3, the 8 is the coefficient.
o Term—each part of an expression that is separated by an operation. For instance,
in our earlier example n + 7, the terms are n and 7.
Pre - Assessment: “Naming Parts of Expressions”
o Distribute to students “Naming Parts of Expressions” worksheet. This assignment should
be used to formatively assess students and to place in appropriate groups for the activity.
Differentiated Activities

Support – Part 1: Students should be divided into teams (2 to 3 to a team). Players
should take turns answering problems and checking their partners answer until all
problems are answered. After students have mastered these problems, their team can
move to Support – Part 2 or one of the On Target tasks.

Support – Part 2: Cut cards out on two different colors of paper (verbal expressions on
one and algebraic expressions on another). Students should match the cards accordingly
and explain their reasoning to their partner. After students have mastered this task, their
team can move on to one of the “On Target” tasks.

On Target – Part 1: Students should be divided into collaborative pairs. One student
receives worksheet “Verbal and Algebraic Expressions – Sheet A” and the other student
receives worksheet “Verbal and Algebraic Expressions – Sheet B”. Students work
individually and then compare their answers after both are finished. Students should
discuss their answers with their partner. (or you can use Sheet C and D together or Sheet
E and F together) After students have mastered this task, their team can move to Support
–Part 2 task or Extend- Part 1 or 2 task.

Extend – Part 1: Students can work alone or in collaborative pairs. Students should
match the verbal expression with the algebraic expression. If students are working in
pairs, they should discuss their answers with their partner. When students have mastered
these problems, they can move on to Extend – Part 2 activity.

Extend – Part 2: Teacher needs to cut out puzzle pieces before distributed to the
student. Students can work alone or in collaborative pairs. Students should match the
puzzle pieces accordingly. If students are working in pairs, they should discuss their
answers with their partner. The teacher should check for accuracy.
Pre-Assessment
Naming parts of an expression
Name: _______________
Date: ________________
Match the vocabulary to the correct definition. Write the answer in the blank on the left side of that paper.
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
1. Algebraic Expression
A. Each part of an expression separated by an operation
2. Coefficient
B. A number that stands by itself
3. Constant
C. A number that does not stand by itself. It is attached to
the variable.
4. Term
D. A letter that stands for a particular numerical value
5. Variable
E. A number sentence without an equal sign, has at least
one two terms and one operation
Identify each part of the algebraic expression as the coefficient, constant, or variable.
1. 4x - 12
4 is a(n) ___________________
x is a(n) ___________________
12 is a(n) __________________
2. a + 3b
a is a(n) ___________________
3 is a(n) ___________________
b is a(n) __________________
3. 6y
6 is a(n) ___________________
y is a(n) ___________________
Support – Part 1
Team Name: _________________________
Team Members:
DIRECTIONS: Take turns translating each of the following into an equation. Check your partner’s work
before turning in to the teacher.
1.
Three less than “x” is equal to 13.
________________________
2.
The product of 9 and “m” is 45.
________________________
3.
A number divided by 6 is 18.
________________________
4.
A number plus 17 is 25.
________________________
5.
Seven times a number is 28.
________________________
6.
A number divided by 7 is 9.
________________________
7.
A number minus 12 is 20.
________________________
8.
The quotient of “y” and 3 is 25.
________________________
9.
One-fifth of “r” is 15.
________________________
10.
Six less than 2 times “y” is 34.
________________________
11.
Five more than “n” is equal to 9.
________________________
12.
A number increased by 3 is 19.
________________________
13.
The difference of “p” and 7 is 30.
________________________
14.
Fifteen multiplied by “k” is 75.
___________________________
15.
The sum of 3y and 5 is 47.
________________________
On Target – Part 1
Verbal and Algebraic Expressions: sheet A
NAME: _______________________________________ PERIOD:________________
Algebraic Expression
Verbal Expression
X-5
5 more than twice x
5 + 3x
The difference of 17
and 5 times a number
5x³
Coefficient/Variable
On Target – Part 1
Verbal and Algebraic Expressions: sheet B
NAME: _______________________________________ PERIOD:________________
Algebraic Expression
Verbal Expression
5 less than x
x² - 2
The sum of x and
twice y
3 – 5x
The product of 5 and
x squared
Coefficient/Variable
Three times the
sum of a
number and 5.
Five less than
half of a
number.
Eight less than
four times a
number.
Four times the
Twice the sum Ten less than
difference of a
of a number and five times a
number squared
seven.
number cubed.
and six.
The product
of 4 and the
Four less than
square of a
the difference Ten less than a
number
of a number
number cubed.
decreased by squared and six.
6.
The sum of
twice a number
and 7
The sum of
three times a
number and 5.
The difference
of 5 and half of
a number.
Three times the
*Write the
*Write the
difference of a
verbal
verbal
number cubed expression of a expression of a
and 10.
card*
card*
3(x + 5)
5–½x
2(x + 7)
4(x2 – 6)
4x2 – 6
3x + 5
½x–5
x3 – 10
4x – 8
8 – 4x
3(x3 – 10)
2x + 7
5x2 – 10
5x3 – 10
2x - 5
2x – 6
2(x + 5)
2(x – 6)
(x2 – 6) – 4
(2x – 6) – 4
Extend – Part 1
Name ______________________________ Date ______________ Block _____________
Match the verbal phrase on the left to the corresponding expression/equation on the
right. Put the letter for your answer in the answer column.
1. the sum of x and 5
2. the product of n and 5
3. 12 less than x
4. the quotient of a number and 5
5. x subtracted from 12
6. 8 minus the product of 5 and n
7. The sum of twice a number and 13
8. twice a number minus 13
9. 15 less than x
10. x subtracted from 15
11. 2 more than twice a number
12. the product of a and 10
13. the quotient of 8 and x
14. c increased by 5 is 15
15. 4 more than a number is 12
16. the product of 4 and n is 12
17. The difference of 27 and k is 15
18. 8 less than 3 times x is 10
19. 3 times x increased by 8 is 20
20. a number minus 8 is 3
21. three times a number is 9
22. twice a number plus 1 is 11
23. 6 less than a number is 5
24. 6 more than a number is 15
25. 2 less than a number is 7
26. 5 subtracted from c is 15
A. x - 12
B. 8 - 5n
C. n + 6 = 15
D. 27 - k = 15
E. x - 15
F. n + 4 = 12
G. k -2 = 7
H. 2n + 2
I. 15 - x
J. c - 6 = 5
K. 5n
L. 2n - 13
M. 2n + 13
N. 3x + 8 = 20
O. k - 8 = 3
P. x + 5
Q. 3x - 8 = 10
R. 2x + 1 = 11
S. 10a
T. x/5
U. c + 5 = 15
V. c - 5 = 15
W. 8/x
X. 4n = 12
Y. 12 - x
Z. 3n = 9
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
v er b a l ex p/ equa ti on s 1
12 less than x
c/5
a number minus 8 is 3
15 - x
N
v er b a l ex p/ equa ti on s 1
12 - x
5n
x subtracted from 12
the product of n and 5
x+5
the quotient of a number and 5
the sum of x and 5
x - 12
the sum of twice a number and 13
v er b a l ex p/ equa ti on s 1
K
v er b a l ex p/ equa ti on s 1
k-8=3
8 minus the product of 5 and n
15 less than x
P
T
x subtracted from 15
2n + 13
v er b a l ex p/ equa ti on s 1
M
7 - k = 15
n + 4 = 12
x - 15
8 - 5n
R
v er b a l ex p/ equa ti on s 1
I
v er b a l ex p/ equa ti on s 1
v er b a l ex p/ equa ti on s 1
v er b a l ex p/ equa ti on s 1
2x + 1 = 11
twice a number plus 1 is 11
3n = 9
three times a number is 9
v er b a l ex p/ equa ti on s 1
V
Z
4 more than a number is 12
10a
X
3 times x increased by 8 is 14
the product of a and 10
c + 5 = 15
2 more than twice a number
the quotient of 8 and x
twice a number minus 13
c-6=5
v er b a l ex p/ equa ti on s 1
c increased by 5 is 15
2n - 13
6 less than a number is 5
B
8/x
2n + 2
6 more than a number is 5
v er b a l ex p/ equa ti on s 1
the product of 4 and n is 12
4n = 12
D
3x - 8 = 10
3x + 8 = 14
n+6=5
8 less than 3 times x is 10
the difference of 7 and k is 15
Extend – Part 2
On Target – Part 1
Verbal and Algebraic Expressions: sheet C
NAME: _______________________________________ PERIOD:________________
Algebraic Expression
Verbal Expression
5  2x
3 decreased by the product
of 5 and x
5x 3  2
The sum of x to the 5th
power and 3 times y
3x 2  y
Name/Letter
On Target – Part 1
Verbal and Algebraic Expressions: sheet E
NAME: _______________________________________ PERIOD:________________
Algebraic Expression
Verbal Expression
x5
2 less than x to the fifth
power
x5  3y
The product of 5 and x
52
Name/Letter
On Target – Part 1
Verbal and Algebraic Expressions: sheet D
NAME: _______________________________________ PERIOD:________________
Algebraic Expression
Verbal Expression
5 increased by 3 times a
number
x  2y
The difference of 3 times x
squared and y
5x
The sum of a number and 5
Name/Letter
On Target – Part 1
Verbal and Algebraic Expressions: sheet F
NAME: _______________________________________ PERIOD:________________
Algebraic Expression
Verbal Expression
the product of 5 and the
third power of x
5x 2
The difference of 5 times x
cubed and 2
x5
5 squared
Name/Letter