Writing Expressions

The following table gives some common words or phrases that are usually imply one of the four operations: add, subtract, multiply, divide. However, depending on the word problem, there are exceptions. Scroll down the page for more examples and explanations.

• Expressions Worksheets

  Printable
  Write Linear & Nonlinear Expressions
  

  Distributive Property for Expressions
  Factoring Expressions
  Writing Expressions
  Equivalent Expressions
  Write Expressions for Word Problems
  

  Evaluate Algebraic Expressions (1 variable, positive numbers)
  Evaluate Algebraic Expressions (1 variable, integers)
  Evaluate Algebraic Expressions (2 variables, positive numbers)
  Evaluate Algebraic Expressions (2 variables, integers)
  

  Simplify Expressions (Add, Subtract Like Terms)
  Simplify Expressions (Multiply, Divide)
  Simplify Expressions (Distributive Property)
  Simplify Expressions (Combine Like Terms)
  Simplify Expressions (Distributive Property & Combine Like Terms)
  

  Online
  Evaluate Expressions by Substitution
  Simplify Expressions by Combining Like Terms
  Simplify Expressions using Distributive Property
  Use Distributive Property & Combine Like Terms

Phrase To Algebraic Expression

To write an expression, we often have to interpret a written phrase.

For example, the phrase “6 added to some number” can be written as the expression x + 6, where the variable x represents the unknown number.

Some examples of common phrases and corresponding expressions that involve addition are:

Phrase	Expression
4 more than some number	x + 4
a number increased by 10	y + 10
8 plus some number	t + 8
the sum of a number and 12	w + 12

Some examples of common phrases and corresponding expressions that involve subtraction are:

Phrase	Expression
4 less than some number	x – 4
a number decreased by 10	y – 10
8 minus some number	8 – t
the difference between a number and 12	w – 12

Some examples of common phrases and corresponding expressions that involve multiplication are:

Phrase	Expression
4 times some number	4x
twice a number	2y
one-third of some number
the product of a number and 12	12w

Some examples of common phrases and corresponding expressions that involve division are:

Phrase	Expression
the quotient of 4 and some number
a number divided by 2
the ratio of 8 and some number
the quotient of a number and 12

Some examples of common phrases and corresponding expressions that involve two operations are:

Phrase	Expression
6 more than 5 times a number	5x + 6
4 times the sum of a number and 7	4(y + 7)
5 less than the product of 3 and a number	3w – 5
twice the difference between a number and 9	2(z – 9)

How Do You Write Mathematical Expressions From Word Problems?

There are so many words that you come across when you’re working on algebra problems, and these words are really code for very specific mathematical symbols.

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How To Write Algebraic Expressions For Word Phrases, By Analyzing The Language Used?

An algebraic expression is a mathematical phrase that contains a combination of numbers, variables and operational symbols.
A variable is a letter that can represent one or more numbers.

How to write expressions with variables?

Examples:
Write the algebraic expressions to represent the statements.
a) The sum of -7 and the quantity 8 times x
b) Take the quantity -3 times x and then add 1.
c) -6 plus the product of -1 and x.

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How to write algebraic expressions with parentheses?

Examples:

1. First consider the expression for
   -5 plus the quantity of 4 times x
   Now take the product of -8 and that expression and then add 6.

2. First consider the expression for
   the sum of 7 and the product of -2 and x
   What expression would be:
   4 plus the quantity of 2 times that expression.

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How to Write Equations from Word Problems?

This video teaches how to dissect a word problem in order to define a variable and write an equation.

Examples:

1. Half of a number is 16. Write an equation to represent the situation. Define your variable and solve.

2. Mrs. Gaddie has two dogs. Her friend Anna-Marie has three less than twice as many as Mtr. Gaddie. How many dogs does Anna-Marie have?

3. A recycling plant recycles 2 tons of cans yesterday. This is a third of their usual amount. How much does the plant usually recycle?

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How to Write Algebraic Expressions for Situations?

Example:
Translate the following phrases into algebraic or numeric expressions.
a) 173 less than a number ‘b’
b) Quotient of 173 and ‘b’
c) ‘b’ times 173
d) 173 more than ‘b’

Try the free Mathway calculator and problem solver below to practice various math topics. Try the given examples, or type in your own problem and check your answer with the step-by-step explanations.

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