Translate verbal phrases into algebraic expressions
By using letters, numbers and operation signs we can translate long verbal phrases into shorthand algebraic expressions.
Addition
Words that mean adding
| words that mean adding |
example |
|
| the sum of | the sum of a number and 5 | x + 5 |
| more than | 5 more than a number | x + 5 |
| plus | a number plus two | x + 2 |
| added to | 6 added to a number | x + 6 |
| increased by | a number increased by 3 | x + 3 |
| More details and examples | ||
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Subtraction
Words that mean subtracting
| words that mean subtracting |
example |
|
| less than | 5 less than a number | x - 5 |
| less | 5 less a number | 5 - x |
| minus | 5 minus a number | 5 - x |
| subtract from | subtract 5 from a number | x - 5 |
| reduced by | a number reduced by 5 | x - 5 |
| decreased by | a number decreased by 5 | x - 5 |
| diminished by | 5 diminished by a number | 5 - x |
| More details and examples | ||
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Multiplication
Words that mean multiplying
| Words that mean multiplying |
example |
|
| multiply | multiply a number by 3 | 3x |
| multiplied by | a number multiplied by 3 | 3x |
| times | 4 times a number | 4x |
| double | double a number | 2x |
| twice | twice a number | 2x |
| triple | triple a number | 3x |
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Division
Words that mean dividing
|
Words that mean dividing |
example |
|
| divided by | a number divided by 5 | x/5 |
| divide into | divide 5 into a number | x/5 |
| the quotient of | the quotient of a number and 3 | x/3 |
| half of | half of a number | x/2 |
| one third of | one third of a number | x/3 |
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power
Word that mean raising to the nth power
| words that mean raising to the nth power |
example |
|
| a number raised to the nth power | a number raised to the fifth power | x5 |
| raise a number to the nth power | raise a number to the fifth power | x5 |
| the nth power of a number | the fifth power of a number | x5 |
| squared | a number squared | x2 |
| cubed | a number cubed | x3 |
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Mixed operations and grouping signs (parentheses)
parentheses are used in algebraic expressions to change the usual order of operations.
| verbal phrase | algebraic expression |
| twice the sum of a number and 3 | 2(x + 3) |
| 3 more than twice a number | 2x + 3 |
| 10 less five times a number | 10 - 5x |
| divide the sum of a number and 5 by 2 | (x + 5)/2 |
| 2 more than the quotient of 3 and a number | 3/x + 2 |
| 3 more than four times the sum of a number and 2 | 4(x + 2) + 3 |
| More details and examples | |
| More practice problems | |