1. Variables and Expressions
Sign In
What operation does the sum of
represent?
Example Answer: x + 14
We are asked to write an algebraic expression for the given verbal expression. The key phrase in the verbal expression is the sum of ...and...
This indicates that we should add two things.
... + ...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 and 14
& x + 14
Note that this is only one of multiple ways to algebraically express the given verbal expression.
| 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* 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÷ z |