Algebra Expressions

Abstract Art Pic of Marbles
Image Source: http://www.whatsonyourwall.com

Word Problems in Mathematics books always have a problem about colored marbles. We have one for you a bit later in this lesson.

Word Problems need to be turned into Algebra Expressions so that we can do mathematics on them, and work out number answers. (Or write a Computer App that gets the answer).

Translating word problems into Algebra requires us to know how various words translate into mathematical symbols such as + – X and / .

If the word problems only have numbers, then it is easy to translate them, once we have practiced doing a few word problems.

 

Algebra Expressions

An Algebra Expression is made up of Numbers and Letters (or “Pronumerals”), as well as + – x ÷ symbols.

Algebra Expressions One

Consider the following real life example.

Algebra Expressions Two Football mv

Mathematicians rewrite word situations into Algebra Expressions to make them simpler and more direct to work with.

Algebra Expressions are needed in computer apps which are written to process real world situations.

Computers use letter variables and mathematical symbols in the Algorithms in their programs, rather than full word English sentences.

Algebra Expressions Three

 

Translation Tips for Word Problems

The following translation tables help convert word problems into Algebra Expressions.

Look for the following key words and phrases when reading through word problems.

Whenever you find one of these words, translate the word or phrase into
+, -, x, / , or = .

This will help form the Algebra equation for the word problem.

 

The following words in a sentence indicate that Adding is taking place.

Adding Translations

 

The following words in a sentence indicate that Subtraction is taking place.

Subtracting Translations

We need to be careful when translating Subtraction words.

Algebra Expressions Less Than Money

 

The following words in a sentence indicate that Dividing is taking place.

Dividing Translations

 

The following words in a sentence indicate that Multiplying is taking place.

Multiplying Translations

 

The following words in a sentence need to be translated into an equals sign.

Equals Translations

 

Whenever we get a word problem to convert into Algebra, we can use these translation tables to help us work out what mathematical symbols we need to use to replace the words.

Here are some simple examples.

Translate Examples

 

Algebra Expressions Example 1

 
 

Algebra Expressions Example Two

 
 

Algebra Expressions Example 3

 
 

Algebra Expressions Example 4

 
 

Video Lessons

This first video shows how to translate word statements into mathematics for Addition and Subtraction.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubaBrD-NQ_w?rel=0]

 

In this follow up video, Professor Perez includes division and multiplication word problems.

Note that Americans use a Dot to represent a multiply sign, whereas other countries like Australia use an “x” to represent multiplication.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m72bUX3bi_c?rel=0]

 

Tips and Traps for Word Problems

Word problems involving subtraction often cause difficulty.

For example “five more than twenty” translates to 5 + 20

But “five less than twenty” does NOT translate to 5 – 20

and “five subtracted from 20” does NOT translate to 5 – 20

and “five taken away from 20” does NOT translate to 5 – 20

Think of the following money example to help make sense of this.

Algebra Expressions Less Than Money

Subtraction words like “less than”, “subtracted from”, and “taken away from” all require that we swap the order of the numbers in the sentence.

“Five less than twenty” = 20 – 5

“Five subtracted from 20” = 20 -5

“Five taken away from 20” = 20 -5

Note that the Algebra numbers end up in reverse order to what they were in the original word sentence.

Eg. In the original word sentence the five came first and then the 20. But in the Algebra sentence the twenty comes first, and the five comes last.

The following video is a very comprehensive narrated slideshow about how to translate equations. This video includes examples of “Reversing the Order” subtraction phrases in word problems.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29uM12GMLA8?rel=0]

 

Translating Words into Algebra Lessons

Math Goodies has a good lesson on writing expressions for word sentences with a quick five question online quiz at the end of the lesson.

http://www.mathgoodies.com/lessons/vol7/expressions.html

The following web page has some great hints for teachers and students about Solving math word problems and setting up equations

http://www.homeschoolmath.net/teaching/teach-solve-word-problems.php

 
 

Related Items

Algebra Terms Coefficients Variables and Constants.
Introduction to Powers Indices and Exponents
Algebra Substitution Using Positive Numbers.
Algebra Substitution Using Negative Numbers.
Real World Algebra Formulas
Survivor Algebra – Class Activity

 

If you enjoyed this post, why not get a free subscription to our website.
You can then receive notifications of new pages directly to your email address.

Go to the subscribe area on the right hand sidebar, fill in your email address and then click the “Subscribe” button.

To find out exactly how free subscription works, click the following link:

How Free Subscription Works

If you would like to submit an idea for an article, or be a guest writer on our blog, then please email us at the hotmail address shown in the right hand side bar of this page.

Free Gift Header

If you are a subscriber to Passy’s World of Mathematics, and would like to receive a free PowerPoint version of this 100% free to you as a Subscriber, then email us at the following address:

Email address image

Please state in your email that you wish to obtain the free subscriber copy of the “Translating Words Into Algebra Expressions” PowerPoint.

Enjoy,
Passy

Share
This entry was posted in Algebra, Word Problems and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.