We are asked to write an algebraic expression for the given verbal expression. The key phrase in the verbal expression is the sum of

\dots

and

\dots

This indicates that we should

add

two things.

\dots + \dots

The two terms that we are adding together are

a

number

and

14 .

Since

a

number

comes first in the verbal expression, it should be on the left-hand side of the addition.

a number + 14

When we say a number, this is indicating an arbitrary number or a variable. If we call this number

x,

we can complete our expression.

the sum of a number a n d 14 x + 14

Note that this is only one of multiple ways to algebraically express the given verbal expression.

Extra

Further Information

There are a lot of phrases we use in every day language that we can use to write algebraic expressions. The next time you are shopping, playing a game with your friends, or dividing up a pizza at a party, try to think about the math symbols you would use to describe the situation!

Situation	Algebraic Expression
You are at the mall and you have $$ 20$ plus the amount left on the gift card $g$ you got for your birthday.	$20 + g$
One round of bowling takes about $30$ minutes per person $p .$	$30 \cdot p$
There are $5$ pizzas and you are not sure how many people $z$ will come to the party, but everyone should have an equal number of slices.	$5 \div z$

Exercise