Mathematics as a Language

Translating English into

Mathematical Expressions
and Equations
Objective: To recognize symbols, variables, and
types of sentences used in mathematics.
Equalities Inequalities
= Equals- is the < Is less than
same as > Is greater than
 Congruent- same  Is less than or
size and shape equal to
~ Similar- same  Approx. equal to
shape
= Not equal to
 Expressions vs. Equations
Sentences
Expressions Equations Inequalities
2+3 2+3=5
Numerical 9-5>3
5(8) - 4 4 + 2(3) = 10
Variable x+7 x - 4 = 13
6y - 4 < 8
8 - 3y 11= 3 + 2m

Open sentences

Open sentences have solutions and can be solved.

Identify each as an expression, sentence,
open sentence, equation, or inequality.
1) 3x + 5 = 11
Sentence, open sentence, equation
2) 7 < 2(5) + 3
Sentence, inequality
3) 5x - 2
Expression
4) 6m + 2 > 3
Sentence, open sentence, inequality
USING A VERBAL MODEL

In Mathematics there is a difference between a phrase

and a sentence. Phrases translate into expressions;
sentences translate into equations or inequalities.

Phrases
Expressions

Sentences Equations or
Inequalities
 Objective: To translate English words, phrases,
and sentences into mathematical symbols,
expressions, and equations respectively.
+
_  
plus minus times divide
add subtract multiply quotient
increased by decreased by product
sum diminished by …of...
total difference twice ( 2)
less
more than less than
subtracted from
TRANSLATING VERBAL PHRASES

Verbal Phrase Expression

The sum of six and a number 6+x

Eight more than a number y+8

A number plus five n+5

A number increased by seven x+7

A number decreased by nine n–9

Ten times a number 10 • n or (10n)

10n)
(10
(10n
7
Seven divided by a number
x
USING A VERBAL MODEL

Phrase Expression

The sum of six and a number 6+x

The sum of six and a number is 6+x=

In this sentence, “is” says that

Sentence one quantity is equal to one Equation
another.
twelve.
The sum of six and a number is twelve. 66 ++ xx == 12
12

In this sentence, the words

Sentence “is less than” indicate an Inequality
inequality.
The sum of six and a number 6 + x < 12
is less than
thantwelve.
twelve.
 Tricky Ones!
5 plus x 5+x
add 5 and x 5+x
the sum of 5 and x 5+x
5 increased by x 5+x

5 more than x x+5

5 is more than x 5>x

 Tricky Ones!
5 minus x 5-x
5 less x 5-x
the difference of 5 and x 5-x
5 decreased by x 5-x
5 less than x x-5

5 subtracted from x x-5

5 is less than x 5<x
Translate each phrase into a mathematical expression.

1) 5 subtract x 5-x

2) the product of 10 and y 10y

3) 20 decreased by a number t 20 - t

4) 6 added to the product of 11 and m 11m + 6

5) the quotient of y and 9 y 9

6) 8 less than 7 times k 7k - 8

I - Translate each phrase into a mathematical expression.

1) Four times a number minus twenty-nine is

eleven.

2)A number minus opposite of five.

3) Six plus five times an unknown number.

4) Eleven added the three times a number.

5) Three fifths of a number plus eight is fifty.

6) A quantity less twelve.

I - Translate each phrase into a mathematical expression.

8) Six less than twice a number is forty-five.

9)Eight less than a number is five.

10) Ten divides the sum of six less than a number

and seven.
II - Identify each as an expression, sentence,
open sentence, equation, or inequality.
1) 3x + 5
2) 2x > 5
3) 2(5) + 3 = 10
4) 6(2) - 2 < 20

5) x – 3 = 5