Translating
Verb Phrases to
Algebraic
Expressions and
Vice Versa
If a number
increased by five
x+5
Translating English phrases into
mathematical expressions requires
familiarity with common words that
illustrate the relationship between
numbers and their corresponding
mathematical symbols.
Translating English phrases into
mathematical expressions requires
Recognizing these key terms helps in
familiarity with common words that
accurately converting verbal phrases into
illustrate the relationship between
algebraic expressions.
numbers and their corresponding
mathematical symbols.
Common words or phrases that usually imply the
operation involved between two numbers.
Sum Difference
add added to difference minus
sum total subtracted to remove
plus increased to subtracted from
increased by less than take away
more than decreased by
Common words or phrases that usually imply the
operation involved between two numbers.
Product Quotient
product quotient
multiply ratio
multiplied by divided by
times divide
of
English Phrases to
Algebraic Expression
English Phrases to Algebraic Expression
In translating an English phrase
to a mathematical phrase, assign
6 added to some number
a variable to one unknown
quantity. Then write an 𝒙+𝟔
expression for any other
unknown quantities involved in
terms of that variable.
Example 1
Translate the English phrase “the sum of five and
a number” into algebraic expression.
“the sum of five and a number”
𝒙+𝟓
Example 2
Translate the English phrase “twenty-four
decreased by a number”
into algebraic expression.
“twenty-four decreased by a number”
𝟐𝟒 − 𝒚
Example 3
Translate the English phrase “five times the sum
of a number and three” into algebraic
expression.
“five times the sum of a number and three”
𝟓(𝒙 + 𝟑)
Example 4
Translate the English phrase “one-half the
difference of twice a number and twelve” into
algebraic expression.
“one-half the difference of twice a number and
twelve”
𝟏
(𝟐𝒙 − 𝟏𝟐)
𝟐
Example of common phrases
Operation Word Expression Algebraic
Expression
The sum of a and 5 𝒂 + 𝟓
addition b added to 9 𝟗 + 𝒃
c increased by 7 c + 𝟕
2 more than d 𝒅 + 𝟐
Example of common phrases
Operation Word Expression Algebraic
Expression
The difference between a
number and 12
𝒂 − 𝟏𝟐
subtraction
10 minus a number 𝟏𝟎 − 𝒃
c decreased by 2 𝒄 − 𝟐
3 less than d 𝒅 − 𝟑
Example of common phrases
Operation Word Expression Algebraic
Expression
The product of x and 7 𝟕𝒙
multiplication
8 times y 𝟖𝒚
half of z 𝟏
z
𝟐
Example of common phrases
Operation Word Expression Algebraic
Expression
The quotient when x is 𝒙
divided by 6
division 𝟔
y divided by 4 𝒚
𝟒
the quotient of 4 and a 𝟒
number
𝒙
Translate each word expression into algebraic
expression.
1. The sum of 9 and twice of x 𝟐𝒙 + 𝟗
2. 11 less than 7 times z 𝟕𝒛 − 𝟏𝟏
3. 3 times m divided by 5 𝟑𝒎
𝟓
Algebraic Expression
to English Phrases
Algebraic Expression to English Phrases
Similarly, we can translate
mathematical expressions back 𝒙+𝟓
into English. This means looking
at numbers, variables, and 5 added to some number
operations and describing them A number increased by 5
in words.
Example 1
𝒙+𝟑
A number increased by 3
Three more than a number
Example 2
𝟐𝒚
Twice a number
Two times a number
Example 3
𝟓−𝒏
Five decreased by a number
The difference between five and a number
Example 4
𝒎
𝟒
A number divided by four
One-fourth of a number
Example 5
𝟑𝒙 + 𝟕
Three times a number plus seven
Seven more than three times a number
Exercises. Write English phrases for each algebraic
expression:
𝒂. 𝟓𝒙 + 𝟕
𝒃. 𝟐𝒚 − 𝟒
Exercises. Write English phrases for each algebraic
expression:
a. 5x+7
seven more than five times a number;
or five times a number increased by 7
Exercises. Write English phrases for each algebraic
expression:
b. 2y-4
a number less than twice itself; twice
a number diminished by a number.
