Translating Algebra!

Translating words to algebraic expressions, equations, and

inequalities is a lot like translating between foreign

languages.

For example…

• In english we say “hello” to greet someone.

• In Spanish, we say “hola”.

• So hello is the same as hola in different languages.

In math we use letters, numbers, and symbols to

represent words.

For example…

If I told you to use numbers and symbols to represent two times seven, what would you write?

You should write 2 × 7

In order to properly translate between words and algebra, we need to fill out our worksheet.

Lets think of words that represent these operations!

ADDITION SUBTRACTION MULTIPLICATION DIVISION

EQUAL

Let’s also look at words and symbols for inequalities.

• Is greater than

• Is less than

• Is greater than or equal to

• Is less than or equal to

• >

• <

• ≥

• ≤

There are also words to represent variables

• A number

• An unknown value

Let’s talk about THAN

• Less than is a special phrase.

• If the sentence says something is less than something else, you REVERSE the order and subtract.

• Example…

Twelve LESS THAN a number is eight.

x – 12 = 8

Let’s look at a few examples

• The product of three and a number

• Thirty more than twice a number

• The difference of a number and eight is equal to 14.

Here’s a few more

• Six less than nine times a number is equal to 39.

• Fifty-five more than a number is greater than 60.

• The quotient of four times a number and seven is less than or equal to 56.

Get out your classwork sheet.

It says Mathematical Translations Classwork.

Try these and see how you do!

We’ll go over it in just a minute!!!

Part 1: Translate each written expression into a mathematical sentence.

1. Nine more than a number ___________

2. Three more than half a number ____________

3. Five squared minus a number _____________

4. Sixteen divided by a number _____________

5. The product of seven and a number y is forty-two_______________________

6. The quotient of a number and seven is thirty-three________________________

7. Four times a number x decreased by eleven________________________

8. Four times the quantity of a number n minus eleven________________________

9. 4x ______________________

10. 29 – x ______________________

11. 7y = 42 ______________________

12. x + 10 = 24 ______________________

13. 11x + 4 ______________________

14. 5 – 8 = 4y ______________________

15. 3(x – 2) = 10 ______________________

16. ½x ______________________

Make sure you study your Algebra vocabulary!

You will have to know it for your next quiz!!!