Math is like its own language! You have to know what all the symbols mean and how to translate it, so that it makes sense. There are plenty of different operations that you must know how to put into words in order to explain your equation or expression.

Let’s start by listing some ways of translating math symbols.

+  When we see this symbol we think add, plus, increased, more than, higher, greater, etc. The answer to an addition problem is called the sum. Can you think of any other words associate with this symbol?

-  This symbol stands for subtract, minus, less than, decreased, lower, take away, etc. The answer to a subtraction problem is called the difference.

X  This can be translated to times, multiplied by, doubled, tripled, etc. The answer to a multiplication problem is called the product.

÷  This last main operation can be described with words such as divided by or split. The answer to a division problem is called the quotient.

=  This symbol stands for equals or you can just simply say “is”.

Let’s look at a few examples using these operations.

Example 1:

Write as a verbal expression.

\(q - 15 = 34\)

You can read this as “q minus 15 equals 34.”

Another answer that is still completely correct could be “15 less than q is 34” or possibly “q decreased by 15 equals 34.”

All of these answers are absolutely correct.

Example 2:

Write as an algebraic expression.

 “Four times the sum of five and x is twenty-seven.”

 Times means multiply. Whenever you see words like sum or difference, it means that the terms are grouped together. This expression would look like this:

\(4(5 + x) = 27\)

Those problems are a bit tougher.

Example 3:

Write as an algebraic expression.

 “Seven less than twice b equals 10.”

Seven less means we must subtract 7 and twice b stands for multiplication.

\(2b - 7 = 10\)

Another math symbol that you will have to know how to translate is used when you want to square a number.

How would you say this?

\({p^2} = 9\)

This would be “p squared equals nine.” We could also say, “p to the second power equals 9.  Let’s look at a few more.

               \({x^2}\)    “x squared” or “x to the second”

               \({x^3}\)    “x cubed“ or “x to the third”

               \({x^4}\)    “x to the fourth”

               \({5^x}\)     “five to the x” or “five to the power of x”

Example 4:

Write as a verbal expression.

\({8^c} = 44\)

This would be “8 to the power of c equals 44”

 Example 5:

Write as an algebraic expression.

“A number squared increased by nine is twenty-three.”

 Squared means use a power of 2 and increased stands for adding. It didn’t give us a variable so we can use any letter we want.

\({x^2} + 9 = 23\)