Writing Your Own Formulas

• So far we’ve been learning how to solve

equations and a whole bunch other stuff.

6-x(y-3)

1
BUT, what good
is Math
without talking
about our
beautiful world??
 In a problem, you are usually asked to find
an unknown.

When writing the formula, we represent this

unknown with a lower-case letter.
When solving a problem, write out what info
is given, other information that is
important, and what you don’t know.

EXAMPLE: Joe Schmo spends $10 each

month on soda. How much does Joe
Schmo spend in one year?
 EXAMPLE: Joe Schmo spends $10 each
month on soda. How much does Joe
Schmo spend in one year?
GIVEN: WRITE WHAT
$10 a month INFO IS GIVEN
IS IMPORTANT
12 months in a year
WRITE WHAT YOU
DON’T KNOW YET DON’T,
Spend in a year (And pick a
(s) variable)

EQUATION WRITE THE

$10 (12) = s
EQUATION
200 cars are built each day. How many
days will it take to build 5000 cars?
KNOW: WRITE WHAT
 200 cars per INFO IS GIVEN
day TO YOU
 Need to
build
5000
WRITE WHAT
YOU DON’T
DON’T KNOW KNOW,
How many (And pick a
days variable)
(d)
WRITE THE
Formula:
EQUATION
Translation: English to Math
“is the same”

=
“is identical to”
“is equal to”
“equals”
“is”
 -
Translation: English to Math

“LESS”

“MINUS”
Translation: English to Math

+
“PLUS”
 Translation: English to Math
(Two numbers
“The Sum Grouped and
Of…” added…)

( ? +? )
 Translation: English to Math
“ A Number”
(…so pick
(a number we don’t any letter!)
Know yet…)

X
Translation: English to Math

“TWICE”
2•
Translation: English to Math

“Half…”

1
2
 PRACTICE
Twice the sum of a number and 15 minus 32
is 235. Write out the formula.

2•(x + 15)- 32= 235

Let’s Solve it!! Yay !!
 Write this formula in words:
If x = distance, y = time and v = velocity,
write the following formula in words:

5(x + y) = v - 45

Five times the sum of distance and time

equals 45 less than velocity
is equal to velocity minus 45
is