SAT Math Word Problem Skills: Translating English Expressions to Algebraic Expressions

SAT Math: Get a high score knowing how to translate from English to algebraic notation,

Part I: Translations Involving Only One Arithmetic Operation Students who score high on the Math SAT are not necessarily better at calculating or solving equations. What they are best at is “problem translation”, the ability to translate English expressions into algebraic notation. The good news about problem translation is that it requires little more than memorizing a set of rules. In the same way that, when studying a foreign language, you memorize the fact that “house” is “Haus” in German, “maison” in French, or “casa” in Spanish, you memorize the fact that “three less than a number ” is written as “x – 3” in algebraic notation.

The words that indicate sum are more, sum, total, greater than, increase, increased by, more than. Thus “the sum of a number and 7” would be written as “n + 7”. Note that we can use any letter as a variable: x, n, w or any other letter we choose.

In addition to recognizing words that indicate addition, recognize situations in which addition is logically implied. Generally, the idea of ​​increase will imply addition.

Subtraction is a bit trickier because often, but not always, the order of the words in an English sentence indicating the subtraction will be the reverse order of the algebraic expression. The words that indicate subtraction are less, difference and less.

Here are some common phrases that indicate subtraction and how to write the corresponding algebraic expressions: A number minus three n – 3 The difference between a number and 5 x – 5 3 less than a number x – 3 (Note the reversal of the order) . 7 is subtracted from a number x – 7 (Notice that the word “from” indicates a starting point. If you say, for example, that you traveled to New York from Cleveland, that phrase indicates that you started from Cleveland. In algebra, you” started” from x. Therefore, x must come first in this expression.

Also, when translating into algebra, even if the keywords are not there, if the problem implies that there has been a decrease, subtract. For example, if someone talks about losing money or the stock market going down, there has been a decline. Usually that will indicate a subtraction.

Multiplication: Look for words like product and times. More importantly, look at the underlying logic of the problem. If the same thing happens over and over again and you’re trying to find a total amount, think about multiplying. Recognize that the word “of” when it accompanies a fraction or decimal indicates multiplication. For example, if a landlord owns ten apartments and collects $800 from each tenant, his total income is 10 (800) = $8,000.

Division: Look up words like divide and ratio. More importantly, look for situations where the total is known but the size of each individual part is not known. Suppose we reverse the information about the landlord and we know that he has 10 apartments and earns $8,000 per month. If we assume that each apartment is rented for the same amount, how much is the rent for each apartment? In this case, we know a total amount and we are trying to find the size of each equal part, in this case, a rent payment. Therefore, we divide.

Important point: Distinguish between the meanings of “greater than”, “is greater than”, and “how much greater than”. Greater than indicates sum. 8 greater than xx + 8 is greater than indicates an inequality 8 is greater than 5 8 > 5 The greater than indicates subtraction. “How much greater than 5 is x” would be written as

x — 5. Similarly, distinguish between “less than”, “is less than”, and “how much less”.

Less than indicates subtraction. 7 less than a number is x – 7.

meit’s less than indicates an inequality. 3 is less than 6 is 3 < 6.

the less than indicates subtraction The less than 8 is x 8 – x

Practice the following translation exercises: Use x to represent an unknown number.

1. A number increased by 11.

2. The sum of a number and 13

3. 3/4 of a number

4.. A number less 17

5. 12 less than a number.

6. 15 is subtracted from a number

7. The ratio of a number and 20.

8. A number of cartons of milk is divided equally among 15 children.

9.. The greater is 59 than a number.

10. Total profit is x items sold and earn $6 profit each.

Answers:

1.x+11

2.x+13

3. 3/4(x) (Three fourths times x)

4.x – 17

5.x–12

6.x–15

7.x / 20 (x divided by 20.)

8. x/ 15 (x divided by 15)

9.59–x

10.6x

The next article in this series will focus on translations that involve two or more arithmetic operations.