Mathematical Language

& Symbols
Translating English Phrases/Sentences
into Mathematical Expressions and
Equations

Is
 Mathematics a
Language?
Language (n.): a systematic means of
communicating ideas or feelings by the
use of conventional symbols, sounds,
or marks having understood meaning
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 1- 6
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 1- 7
 Translating Word Phrases to Expressions

1. Translate word phrases to expressions.

Translating Word Sentences to

Equations

2. Translate sentences to equations using key

 words, then solve.
Addition Subtraction Multiplication Division
sum minus
plus product divided by
subtracted
more than twice quotient
from
added to times ratio
difference of
increased by multiplied by divided into
less than
of
decreased by
less
Order is
important!!
Order is
important!!
 Translating Phrases
Operation Variable Word Phrases
Some number plus three
Three added to some number
Addition Expression x + 3 The sum of some number and
three Three more than some
number Some number increased
by three

Translating Phrases
Operation Variable Word Phrases
Some number minus six
Six subtracted from some
number The difference of some
number and six
Subtraction Expression y – 6
Six less than some number
Some number decreased by
six Some number less six

Translating Phrases
Operation Variable Word Phrases
Twice some number
Two times some number
Multiplication Expression 2a The product of two and
some number
Some number multiplied by two
Exponents c2 c squared
The square of c
c to the second power
k3 k cubed
k to the third power
The cube of k
Roots x The square root of x

Translating Phrases
Operation Variable Expression Word Phrases
Some number divided by five
x The quotient of some number
and five
Division 5 The ratio of some number and
five Five divided into some
number
Translating Phrases
The key words sum, difference, product, and quotient
indicate the answer for their respective operations.
3
sum of x and 3 x + 3

difference of x and 3 x –

product of x and 3 quotient of x and 3

x
 x ⋅ 3 or 3x
x ÷ 3 or 3
Use x for the variable if not specified.

Translating Phrases

The product of a number and

four 4x
The sum of b cubed and
seven 3
b +7
 Seven added to the quotient of x and y
xy xy
7+
Use x for the variable if not specified.

Translating Phrases

A number subtracted from

88−x
Nine divided into a
number x
9
 Five more than two times a
number 2x
5 + 2x or 2x + 5
Phr
ase
Tra sa
nsla +b
ting Use x for the variable if not specified.

Seven times the sum of a and

 b 7(a + b)

5x
The product of five and a number
minus the sum of the number and
two x + 2
5x − (x + 2)
5x − x + 2

Translating Phrases Use x for the variable if not

specified.

a+b
The sum of a and b divided by the
difference of a and b
a−b+
ab
ab
−
Translate the phrase to an algebraic

expression. Twelve less than three times a

number

a) 3n + 12

b) 12 – 3n
c) 3n – 12

d) 3n ⋅ 12
Translate the phrase to an algebraic expression.
Twelve less than three times a number

a) 3n + 12

b) 12 – 3n

c) 3n – 12
d) 3n ⋅ 12

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 1- 20

Translate the phrase to an algebraic expression.

The difference of a and b decreased by the sum
of w and z

a) (a – b) – (w + z)

b) a – b – (w + z)

c) ab – (w + z)
d) (b – a) – (w + z)

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 1- 21

Translate the phrase to an algebraic expression.

The difference of a and b decreased by the sum
of w and z

a) (a – b) – (w + z)

b) a – b – (w + z)

c) ab – (w + z)
 d) (b – a) – (w + z)

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 1- 22

Translating Word Sentences

Operation Expression Word Phrases
is
is equal to
is the same as
Equals = produces
yields
results in
T
r
a
n
s
l
a
t
e
a
n
 d
S
o
l
v
e
=
Fifteen more than a number is negative
seven. 15 + x− 7

15 + x = −7

Translate and Solve

 13 + 4x
4x
Thirteen more than the product of four and a number
yields 9.
=
13 + 4x = 9

Translate and Solve

3(x − 5) x − 5
Three times the difference of a number and five
is equal to seven times the number, minus
twelve. =7x 7x − 12
3(x − 5) = 7x − 12
Translate: Thirty-two less than three times
a number is fifteen.

a) 32 – 3x = 15

b) 3x – 32 = 15

c) 32 + 3x = 15

d) 3x ÷ 32 = 15
Translate: Thirty-two less than three times
a number is fifteen.
a) 32 – 3x = 15

b) 3x – 32 = 15

c) 32 + 3x = 15

d) 3x ÷ 32 = 15
Translate: The quotient of four less than a
number and five is the same as the number
divided by eight.

4
8
 −
=
a) nn−
5= 5 8
n
n
n n 4=
b) c) −
5( 4) 8

4
d)
nn−
=
58
Translate: The quotient of four less than a
number and five is the same as the number
divided by eight.

4
8
−
=
a) nn−
5= 5 8
n
n
n n 4=
b) c) −
5( 4) 8
 4
d)
nn−
=
58