Math Word Problems Demystified - A Self Teaching Guide

Subtractioncan be denoted by

less than

subtracted from

decreased by

exceeds

shorter than

difference between

Multiplicationcan be denoted by

product

times

multiplied by

twice as large

three times a number

1

2 of a number

Divisioncan be denoted by

divided by

quotient of

Equalscan be denoted by

is

will be

is equal to

Here are some examples of how these phrases are translated into symbols:

Word Statement Symbolic Representation

Five times a numberx 5 x

Three more than a numberxxþ 3

A numberxdecreased by 7 x
 7

One-half of a numberx^12 xorx 2

The square of a number x^2

Nine added to twice a numberx 9 þ 2 x

Four times a number minus eight 4 x
 8

The cost ofxfeet of rope at 15 cents a foot 0.15x

LESSON 8 Algebraic Representation 83