Writing and Evaluating Expressions with Variables:

Writing Expressions:

Writing expressions is all about comprehending what is written in words and translating the ideas into numbers ad operations.  Students need to know the key words that denote each operation - addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division - and understand the words that describe the order in which each element needs to be placed.  They also need to be able to use variables to represent unknowns or the words "a number" in the written form of an expression.

Addition example:
S + 4

Four more than a number
A number plus four
A number increased by four
The sum of four and a number
Four added to a number

Subtraction example:
S - 4

Four less than a number
A number minus four
A number decreased by four
A number less four
The difference between a number and four

Multiplication example:
S x 4   or   4S

Four times a number
A number multiplied by four
The product of four and a number
Four per each number

Division example:
S/4

A number divided by four
The quotient of four and a number
A number split into four pieces
A number broken into four parts

Example Problems:

1.)  P + 11 = 48

2.)  N - 9

3.)  R^3 = 48

4.)  S + 7 = 33