Objective:You will be able to

translate verbal expressions into math expressions and vice versa.

Designed by Skip Tyler, Varina High School

What is the area of a rectangle?

Length times Width

If the length is 3 meters and the width is 2 meters, what is the area?

A = L x WA = 3 x 2 = 6 meters2

A, L and W are the variables.

A variable is any letter that represents an unknown number.

An algebraic expression contains:

1) one or more numbers or variables, and

2) one or more arithmetic operations.

Examples:

x – 3

3 • 2n4

1m

In expressions, there are many different ways to write multiplication.

1) ab

2) a • b

3) a(b) or (a)b

4) (a)(b)

5) a x b

Do you know why we do not use the multiplication

symbol in Algebra?

Division, on the other hand, is written as:

1)

2) x ÷ 3

x

3Usually written like this

This is used less often

There are many words that mean addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Complete the table with as many as you know.

Addition Subtraction Multiplication Division

Here are some phrases you may have listed.

Addition Subtraction Multiplication Division

sum difference product quotient

increase decrease times divided

plus minus multiplied ratio

add subtract twice (etc) per

more than less than double (etc) half

greater fewer

total

Write an algebraic expression for

1) m increased by 5.m + 5

2) 7 times the product of x and t.

7xt or 7(x)(t) or 7 • x • t

3) 11 less than 4 times a number.

4n – 11

4) two more than 6 times a number.

6n + 2

5) the quotient of a number and 12.

12

x

Which of the following expressions represents 7 times a number decreased by 13?

1. 7x + 13

2. 7x – 13

3. 13 – 7x

4. 13 + 7x

Answer NowAnswer Now

Which one of the following expressions represents28 less than three times a number?

1. 28 – 3x

2. 3x – 28

3. 28 + 3x

4. 3x + 28

Answer NowAnswer Now

Write a verbal expression for:

Can these be written in different ways?

The sum of 8 and a

2)

m

r.

The ratio of m to r

1) 8 + a

Which of the following verbal expressions represents 2x + 9?

Answer NowAnswer Now

1. 9 increased by twice a number

2. a number increased by nine

3. twice a number decreased by 9

4. 9 less than twice a number

Which of the following expressions represents the sum of 16 and five times a number?

Answer NowAnswer Now

1. 5x – 16

2. 16x + 5

3. 16 + 5x

4. 16 – 5x

baseand 3 is called the

exponent or power.

103 means 10 • 10 • 10103 = 1000

When looking at the expression 103, 10 is called the

How is it said?21

Two to the first power22

Two to the second power or two squared23

Two to the third power or two cubed2n7

Two times n to the seventh power

Which of the following verbal expressions represents x2 + 2x?

Answer NowAnswer Now

1. the sum of a number squared and twice a number

2. the sum of a number and twice the number

3. twice a number less than the number squared

4. the sum of a number and twice the number squared

Which of the following expressions represents four less than the cube of a number?

Answer NowAnswer Now

1. 4 – x3

2. 4 – 3x

3. 3x – 4

4. x3 – 4

Evaluate

2

2 • 2 = 4

2 • 2 • 2 = 8

We can’t evaluate because we don’t know the value of n!

21

22

23

2n7

Is 35 the same as 53?Evaluate each and find out!

35 = 3 • 3 • 3 • 3 • 3 = 243

53 = 5 • 5 • 5 = 125

243 ≠ 125

They are not the same!