Name ____________________________ Date_____________ Period_________
The Language of Algebra
Variable A letter or symbol used to represent any number.
The value of a variable can change.
Numerical Expression A collection of numbers, operations, and grouping symbols.
Algebraic Expression A mathematical sentence containing variables.
Algebraic Equation A mathematical statement that two expressions are equal.
Translating Phrases into Algebraic Expressions
plus
Addition
(+)
Multiplication
(x)
Minus
increased by
Subtraction
(-)
decreased by
the sum of
the difference of
the total of
less
****more than
****less than
****added to
****subtracted from
times
divided by
the product of
Division
(÷)
the quotient of
twice; double
the ratio of
multiplied by
equal parts
of; per
average
Does the order matter?
YES!
MOST of the time, write in the order that you read.
Turn Around Words
Less than
subtracted from
Six less than a number
6
n
n-6
A number subtracted from four
n
4
4-n
Translate each expression or equation
1. A number increased by 4
2. Twice a number equals 6
3. A number decreased by 16
4. One half of a number
5. Six more than a number amounts to 4
6. A number squared
7. 10 less than a number
8. The quotient of 3 and a number
9. Six more than four times a number
10. The sum of a number and 6, divided by 12
11. Three times the sum of a number and 4
12. The product of 5 and a number squared
13. Four less than three-fourths of a number
14. The square of the quotient of a number
and 7
15. Cameron like to buy his sweetheart a dozen roses every month. Write an expression that
represents the amount of roses Cameron has bought.
16. Michelle has 4 pairs of shoes less than her best friend Shawna. Write an expression for this
situation. If Shawna has 11 pairs, how many pairs does Michelle have?
17. Francisco weighs 100 pounds less than three times his brother’s weight. Write an expression
for this situation. Evaluate if Francisco’s weight if his brother weighs 80 pounds.
18. Matt took his car in to the repair shop. The shop charged David $68 for the part plus $50 per
hour that a mechanic worked on the car. Evaluate the cost for 3 hours of labor.