Algebra I Recipe: Translating Verbal Phrases into Algebraic Expressions OR Translating English into Math

By G Redden

A. Words that indicate multiplication:

1. product
2. times
3. multiplied by
4. of
5. twice

The product of 9 and a number

10 times a number

A number multiplied by 3

One fourth of a number

Twice a number

B. Words that indicate division:

1. quotient
2. divided by

The quotient of a number and 6

7 divided by a number

C. Words that indicate addition:

1. sum
2. more than
3. plus
4. increased by

The sum of 6 and a number

8 more than a number

A number plus 5

A number increased by 7

D. Words that indicate subtraction:

1. difference
2. less than
3. minus
4. decreased by

The difference between 5 and a number

4 less than a number

7 minus a number

A number decreased by 9

E. Translating sentences into an equation or inequality.

The sum of a number and 12 is 16.

The quotient of 15 and a number x is less than 3.

The product of 5 and a number x is 25.

10 times a number x is greater than or equal to 50.