Translating Mathematical Terms into Equations

 

Step1: Preview the word problem   Look for words that will tell you to add, subtract multiply, or divide any number/the unknown number.     Step 2: Assign a variable to the unknown number/s    When an equation says to multiply 3 (or any number) times a number that means to choose a variable for the unknown number. (any letter a-z)   Step 3: Write what the variable represents    Write the meaning of the variable means to know what the variable is replacing in the Equation. ( not the 'unknown number' but what that number is)    Step 4: Write an equation   Use step one to write the equation and be careful because it can be tricky.    Step 5: Solve the equation   Use the properties of equality to solve for the variable.   Step 6: Answer the question in the problem    Write what the variable represents and the number that you found the variable to replace.    Step 7: Check your work   Plug in the number to replace the variable and find out if that you did the math right.     EXAMPLE:   Steps:    Five more than number times three is twenty.       1) What are you trying to find: a number   2) Assign a variable: Let’s call it n   3) Write what the variable represents:  let n represent a number   4) Write an equation: 5+3n=20 5 more than some thing means 5+... a number times three means n times 3 ....3n we know it equals 20 so that means 5+3n=20   5) Solve for the variable:     5+3n=20 -5   -5 3n=(20-5) 3n=15 /3    /3 n=15/3 n=5     6) Answer the problem:     The number that we were looking for was 5 ( n=5 )   7) Check your answer:     Plug in the number where n was. 5+3(5)=20 (3 times 5 =15) 5+15=20 (15 +5= 20)   Yes...n = 5

Most Common Mathematical Terms:                                                                  Addition increased by more than combined, together total of sum added to Subtraction decreased by minus, less difference between/of less than, fewer than Multiplication of times, multiplied by product of increased/decreased by a   factor of (this type can   involve both addition or   subtraction and   multiplication!) Division per, a out of ratio of, quotient of percent (divide by 100) Equals is, are, was, were, will be gives, yields sold for

 

I got some of my information and pictures from:

 

- http://www.algebralab.net/lessons/lesson.aspx?file=Algebra_OneVariableWritingEquations.xml

- http://www.purplemath.com/modules/translat.htm

- http://www.supsy.com/sitebuilder/images/symbols-2-403x516.jpg

- http://www.hamilton.tcd.ie/images/mathswords.jpg