Strategy #7: Translate Words To Math
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
N less than x: write x – n (reverse the order and subtract)
N more than x: write n+x