1. Translating Words to Symbols
Writing Equations
Translating Words to Symbols

2. Symbols and Their Meanings
And, Increased, Combined, More, Plus, Sum
Difference, Less, Decreased, Minus, Take Away
Times, By, Multiply, Product, Of, (Rate)
Divide, Goes Into, Per, Quotient
Is, Are, Gives, Was, Yields

3. Writing Equations Read the problem carefully.
Rewrite the BASICS of the problem by stripping away extraneous information.
Rewrite the problem using OPERATIONAL symbols (+, -, ×,÷).
Determine the unknown(s) in the problem.
Change the unknown(s) in the problem to variables.

4. Example 1
If 4 is subtracted from twice a number, the result is 10 less than the number. Find the number.

5. Example 2
Twice a number is added to the number and the answer is 90. Find the number.

6. Example 3
The perimeter of a triangular lot is 72 meters. One side is 16 meters, and the other side is twice the first side. Find the length of the third side.

7. Example 4
Two consecutive numbers are added whose sum is 47. What are the numbers?

8. Example 5
Jim joined gaming club on his video game console. The registration fee was $25 and then he had to pay a monthly fee. The first year Jim paid a total of $169. How much is the monthly fee?