Here are some keys to translating words into mathematical expressions.
RECOGNIZE WHICH OPERATIONS TO USE.Below is a list of commonly seen words and the correlating operation.
ADDITION | more than, increase, plus, sum |
SUBTRACTION | less than, decrease, minus, difference |
MULTIPLICATION | times, product |
DIVISION | quotient |
ENSURE CORRECT ORDER OF OPERATIONS.The order of operations is listed below.
- parentheses
- exponents
- multiplication and division [left to right]
- addition and subtraction [left to right]
REPRESENT VALUES.
When a value is unknown, it is typically represented by a
variable or symbol.
Translate the descriptions of operations.
Use a variable to represent "some number."
Translate the descriptions of operations.
Use a variable to represent "some number."