Notes on translating word phrases and speaking algebraically
+
-
x
÷
Added
Plus
Sum
Increased
More than
Subtracted
Minus
Difference
Less than
Take away
times
Multiply by
product
Groups of
Divided by
Quotient
Split into
 When the terms “more”, “less”, or “subtracted” are used the number or variable
will come after the operation.
Examples: “5 more than x” = x+5
“5 less than x” = x-5
“5 subtracted from x” = x-5
10-y = “y less than 10”
x
= “x divided by 2”
2
How would you write “5 more than twice a number x”? 2x +5
How would I write “8 less than quadruple a number d”? 4d-8
Translating Algebraic word problems
 Ted was buying soda for a party. He needs 2 cans of soda per person. Ted is
having p number of people. Write an expression to represent the amount of soda
he should buy.
 The expression is 2p
Practice: Write each phrase as a numerical or algebraic expression.
1. 287 plus 932
2. b divided by 14
Algebraic word problem
1. The number of senators that each of the 50 states has in the U.S. Senate. This is
represented by s Write an expression for the total number of senators.