A ProblemSolving Plan

1
A Problem-Solving Plan

• Translate verbal phrases into algebraic
  expressions

2
Addition
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
3
Subtraction
The difference of five and a number
5 - y
Four less than a number
x - 4
Seven minus a number
7 - n
A number decreased by nine
n - 9
4
Multiplication
The product of nine and a number
9x
Ten times a number
10n
A number multiplied by three
3y
5
Division
The quotient of a number and four
Seven divided by a number
6
Verbal Phrases
Verbal phrases translate to an algebraic
expression
Three more than the quantity five times a number n
Two less than the sum of a number m plus 6
A number x decreased by the sum of 10 and the
square of a number y
7
Now Try These
Six Less than 4 times a number y
Eight more than the sum of two times a number y
and three.
8
Verbal Sentences
The difference between a verbal phrase and
sentence is that a verbal sentence will translate
to an equations or inequalities as opposed to an
expression.
Example Three more than the difference of five
and a number n is six
9
Try These
Nine is greater than three times a number s
The product of fourteen and a number x is one.
Nine less than the product of ten and a number d
is greater than or equal to eleven.
10
Problem Solving Model
Step 1 Write out a verbal model Step 2 Assign
Labels Step 3 Write an algebraic model
11
Example
You and 3 friends are going to a Chinese
restaurant for some dim sum. The Chinese
restaurant charges 2 per plate of dim sum. You
order lots of plates of wontons, egg rolls and
dumplings. The waiter then gives you a bill for
25.20, which includes tax of 1.20.
Cost per plate


Bill
-
tax
Verbal Model
of Plates
Cost per plate 2 Number of plates p Amount of
Bill 25.20 Tax 1.20
Assign Labels
Algebraic Model
2p 25.20 1.20