Algebraic Expressions

Just like any language, math has a way to communicate ideas. Algebraic expressio
n is a compact way of describing mathematical objects using a combination of num
bers, variables (letters), and arithmetic operations namely addition, subtractio
n, multiplication, and division.
In other words, the three main components of algebraic expressions are numbers,
variables, and arithmetic operations.
chilimath log
COMPONENTS
EXAMPLES
numbers ?
1, 6, 8, 27, 32, etc
variables or letters
?
x, y , a, h, p, etc
arithmetic operations ?
+, - , x,
Easy, right? Check out these examples...
How do we write the word expressions below into algebraic expressions?

1)
2)
3)
4)

Sum of x and 5
Difference of y and
Product of n and 2
Quotient of k and 7

?
3
?
?

x + 5
?
2n
k/7

y - 3

interesting examples on algebraic expressions Let's go over some more interestin

g examples...

Example 1: The sum of twice a number and 3

Answer:
Let variable x be the unknown number. So twice a number means 2x.
The sum (use plus +) of twice a number and 3 should be written as 2x + 3.

Example 2: The difference of triple a number and 5

Answer:
Let variable y be the unknown number. So triple a number means 3y.
The difference (use minus -) of triple a number and 5 should be written as 3y-5.

Example 3: The sum of the quotient of m and 2, and the product of 4 and n.
Answer:

In this case, the unknown numbers are already assigned with variables which are
m and n. That's one less thing to worry.

key to rememberThe key is to recognize that we are going to add a quotient and a
product.
quotient of m and 2 is expressed as m/2
product of 4 and n is expressed as 4n
Therefore, the sum of the quotient and product is (m/2) + 4n.

Example 4: The difference of the product of 7 and w, and the quotient of 2 and
v.
Answer:

In this case, the unknown numbers have been assigned with corresponding variable
s which are w and v.
light bulb momentThe key is to recognize that we are going to subtract the produ
ct by the quotient of some expressions.
product of 7 and w is expressed as 7w
quotient of 2 and v is expressed as 2/v
Therefore, the difference of the product and quotient is 7w - (2/v).

Now, let's go over some common words or phrases that describe the four arithmeti
c operations. It is critical that you known these words or phrases to be success
ful in writing or interpreting any given algebraic expression.

Another ways to say or mean...

ADDITION
SUBTRACTION
MULTIPLICATION
plus
minus multiply
quotient
more than
difference
product divided
sum
take away
double (multiply by 2)
and
subtract
twice (multiply by 2)
total less than
triple (multiply by 3)
greater than
decreased by
times over
increased by
less

DIVISION
by
ratio
share
into

The key to learn algebraic expressions is to study a LOT of examples !

Algebraic phrase (in words)
a number plus 9 ?
y + 9
the sum of a number and 10
total of a number and 5 ?
a number increased by 4 ?
h take away 2 ?
h - 2
2 take away by a number ?
a number minus 11
?
11 minus a number
?
a number decreased by 7 ?
the difference of n and 25
the difference of 25 and n
5 less than a number
?

Algebraic expressions (in symbols)

?
b + 5
x + 4

m + 10

2 - h
k - 11
11 - k
d - 7
?
n - 25
?
25 - n
x - 5

x less than the number 5

?
the product of r and 4 ?
4r
7 times a number
?
7p
double the number
?
2x
triple the number
?
3x
a number divided by 4 ?
w/4
the quotient of x and 6 ?
x/6
the quotient of 12 and m
?
a number divided by 3 ?
f/3
y over 7
?
y/7
5 into a number ?
a/5
a number into 5 ?
5/a
the sum of x and 7 divided by 2 ?
the difference of m and 3 over 5
11 more than the product of 3 and y
6 less than the quotient of c and 10
3 minus the product of 5 and a number
the sum of 5 and the quotient of z and
the difference of twice a number and 3

5 - x

12/m

(x+7)/2
?
?
?
?
7
?

(m-3)/5
3y+11
(c/10) -6
3-5x
?
(z/7) + 5
2m-3