Basic Algebra – Lesson 2
by Elaine Ernst Schneider
Objective(s): By the end of this lesson the student will be able to: translate a word sentence into a mathematical expression.
Pre-Class Assignment: Completion of Basic Algebra – Lesson 1
Resources/Equipment/Time Required:
Outline:
In the first lesson, you learned that numbers and variables form sentences, or algebraic “expressions.” When you take information from a sentence and turn it into a mathematical expression, it is called “translating.”
A place to begin:
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- When you write algebraic expressions, use +, -, and = signs. For division, use / , the same way you know that when you see a fraction, it means to divide the top number by the bottom number.
- For multiplication, write the expression with no symbol or sign between them as the X (multiplication) symbol can be confused with the variable x. For example 3 times the variable y should be written 3y. You can also use parentheses to indicate multiplication. This is especially useful in longer problems such as (3y)(4-2x).
- When you want to multiply something AFTER another expression has been done first, use parenthesis. For example, if you want to add x and y and THEN multiply the result by 7, write it this way: 7(x + y).
- To translate from language to a math expression, read the sentence carefully. Then decide what operations it will take to reach a solution. Write this into an algebraic expression.
Let’s Get Started:
Here is the word problem:
I am stocking shelves at a T-shirt store. I have been given eight boxes of T-shirts. There are 25 T-shirts in each box. My instructions are to take one T-shirt from every box and set it aside to be given to the poor. How many T-shirts will be left for me to put on the store shelves after I sort out the T-shirts to be given to the poor?
Here is the algebraic expression:
8(25-1)
8(24)
192
If you don’t know the number of T-shirts in each box, then substitute the variable x for that. Then the expression would look like this:
8(x – 1)
Now it’s time for you to try a few.
Assignment(s) including Answer key:
EXERCISE:
- Katie is 21 years old. Write an algebraic expression that tells how old she will be in five years. Let x represent that age. Solve from your expression.
- One hamburger costs x cents. Write an algebraic expression that tells how much 4 hamburgers will cost.
- Sandy is 21 years old. Al is five years older. How old will Al be in five years? Let x represent Al’s age in five years. Solve for x.
- I have ten hats that cost $47.50 for all of them. Write an algebraic expression to show how much one of those hats cost, letting y represent the answer. Solve for y.
- I have ten hats that cost $47.50 for all of them. How much will I have to sell EACH hat for to make a profit of $1 on each? Set it up in an algebraic expression to solve.
ANSWER KEY Click Here:
Pre-Requisite To: Basic Algebra – Lesson 3 Solving for X
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