Be able to translate directly from expressions in english to mathematical expressions, equations or inequalities. Knowing how to do this will make many problems much more simple.
Sum: is an answer to an addition problem.
Difference: is an answer to a subtraction problem.
Product: is an answer to a multiplication problem.
Quotient: is an answer to a division problem.
What or when: fill in with x (or some other letter that makes sense).
Is, was or will be: replace with an = sign
Is more than: replace with a > signIs less than: replace with a < signN is more than x: write, n > x
N is less than x: write, n < x
Is at least: use a greater than or equal to sign.
Is no more than: use a less than or equal to sign
Of: means multiply.
Per, out of, for every, to every: means divide.
Percent: means divide by 100
N percent: write n/100; or, what percent: write x/100
N less than x: write x – n (reverse the order and subtract)
N more than x: write n+x
Here’s a simple example to start with:
Here’s another simple example:
