1. Writing Expressions and Equations

2. Word Clues
Often words and phrases suggest addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. You just need to know those words!
Take notes!! You are about to receive your clue words!

3. ADDITION CLUES
Plus
Sum
More than
Increased by
In all

4. SUBTRACTION CLUES
Minus
Difference
Less than
Less
Decreased by

5. MULTIPLICATION CLUES
Times
Produce
Multiplied
Twice
Each

6. DIVISION CLUES
Divided
Quotient
Per
Separate

7. Writing phrases as algebraic expressions
Five dollars less than Jennifer earned
Less than is a subtraction clue
When less than is used, the 2nd item is always written first.
Jennifer is the 2nd item; we don’t know her earnings, so use a variable.

8. Writing phrases as algebraic expressions
Five dollars less than Jennifer earned
Since less than is subtraction and the 2nd item goes first, the beginning of the expression would like this:
j -

9. Writing phrases as algebraic expressions
Five dollars less than Jennifer earned
Now write the rest of the expression to complete the phrase!
j - $5

10. Writing phrases as algebraic expressions
Twice as many tomatoes as last year
What’s our clue word? TWICE
Do we know how many tomatoes there were last year? NO
So, what should be used for the tomatoes? VARIABLE

11. Writing phrases as algebraic expressions
Twice as many tomatoes as last year
What does twice mean? TWO TIMES
When a coefficient and a variable are being multiplied, remember how to write them!!
SMASHED TOGETHER LIKE PB&J

12. Writing phrases as algebraic expressions
Twice as many tomatoes as last year 2t

13. Writing phrases as algebraic expressions
3 more runs than the Pirates scored
Word Clue: MORE
Variable Clue: Pirates undefined
3 + p

14. Writing phrases as algebraic equations
The ONLY difference between expressions and equations:
the word: IS

15. Writing phrases as algebraic equations
Five more than a number is 20.
Word Clue: MORE THAN
Variable Clue: NUMBER IS UNDEFINED
Equation Clue: IS

16. Writing phrases as algebraic equations
Five more than a number is 20.
Write it as you read it!!!
5 + n = 20

17. Writing phrases as algebraic equations
Three times Jack’s age equals 12.
Word Clue: TIMES
Variable Clue: JACK’S AGE UNDEFINED
Equation Clue: EQUALS

18. Writing phrases as algebraic equations
Three times Jack’s age equals 12.
Write it as you read it!!
3j = 12

19. Writing phrases as algebraic equations
Ten less a number is 8
Word Clue: LESS
Variable Clue: NUMBER IS UNDEFINED
Equation Clue: IS
Notice that it is only LESS, not less than. This means to write it as you read it!!

20. Writing phrases as algebraic equations
Ten less a number is 8
10 – n = 8

21. Writing phrases as algebraic equations
Seven less than a number is 6
Word Clue: LESS
Variable Clue: NUMBER IS UNDEFINED
Equation Clue: IS
Notice that it is LESS THAN, not less. This means to write the 2nd item first!!

22. Writing phrases as algebraic equations
Seven less than a number is 6
n – 7 = 6

23. Writing phrases as algebraic equations and expressions
You try these!
Eight more than x
The sum of a number and four is -9
Nine less than t
Twice a number equals -10
A number less 4 is 12.
Five years older than Luis.
A number divided by -12
Twice as many oranges.
A number less 6.
-15 divided by some number.