Translating Verbal Expressions into Algebraic Expressions

Any letter used to represent an unspecified number is called a variable. You can use variables to translate verbal expressions into algebraic expressions.

Words

Symbols

4 more than a number

a number decreased by 8

the product of 5 and a number

a number squared

x + 4

b - 8

5 c

h²

The algebraic expression xⁿ represents a product in which each factor is the same. The small raised n is the exponent and it tells how many times the base, x, is used as a factor.
Example: Evaluate 3⁴
3⁴ = 3 x 3 x 3 x 3
= 81

Write a verbal expression for each algebraic expression.

1. w - 1 2. (1/3)a³ 3. 81 + 2x

Write an algebraic expression for each verbal expression.

4. a number decreased by 5 5. four times a number

6. 8 less than a number 7. a number divided by 6

8. a number multiplied by 37 9. the sum of a number and 9

10. 3 less than 5 times a number
11. twice the sum of 15 and a number

12. 7 more than the product of 6 and a number 13. 30 increased by 3 times the square of a number

Write each expression as an expression with exponents.

14. 7 x 7 x 7 15. 3 x p x p 16. 9(b)(b)(b)(b)(b)

Evaluate each expression

17. 2 ³ 18. 10 ⁵ 19. 4 ⁴

4. a number decreased by 5	5. four times a number
6. 8 less than a number	7. a number divided by 6
8. a number multiplied by 37	9. the sum of a number and 9
10. 3 less than 5 times a number	11. twice the sum of 15 and a number
12. 7 more than the product of 6 and a number	13. 30 increased by 3 times the square of a number