1. Word Problem Strategies
Algebra I A
Chapter 3
A BowerPoint Presentation

2. = English  Mathlish n – n is / was / will be / equals / the result isOf
A number
The opposite of a number =
(multiply) n
– n

3. English  Mathlish n, n + 1, n + 2 n, n + 2, n + 4
Three consecutive integers
Three consecutive EVEN integers
Three consectutive ODD integers
n, n + 1, n + 2
n, n + 2, n + 4

4. + – English  Mathlish sum / more than / increased by / and
difference / less than / decreased by + –

5. English  Mathlish product / times/ multiplied by
quotient / over / divided by
Multiply
or fraction symbol: /

6. English  Mathlish n n /100 ( ) what number / what fraction
what percent
quantity n
n /100
( )

7. For five more than a number, write
English  Mathlish
To avoid confusion, always write the variable first.
For five more than a number, write
n + 5
(NOT 5 + n)

8. For five less than a number, write
English  Mathlish
To avoid confusion, always write the variable first.
For five less than a number, write
n – 5
(NOT 5 – n)

9. English  Mathlish Five more than a number Five less than a number
NOT 5 – n !!!!!!!

10. English  Mathlish Seven more than twice a number
Two less than four times a number
2n + 7
4n – 2
NOT 2 – 4n !!!!!!!

11. Try to translate this phrase from English to Mathlish:
English  Mathlish
Try to translate this phrase from English to Mathlish:
Six less than a number

12. Try to translate this phrase from English to Mathlish:
English  Mathlish
Try to translate this phrase from English to Mathlish:
Six less than a number
n - 6

13. Try to translate this phrase from English to Mathlish:
English  Mathlish
Try to translate this phrase from English to Mathlish:
Nine times a number

14. Try to translate this phrase from English to Mathlish:
English  Mathlish
Try to translate this phrase from English to Mathlish:
Nine times a number 9n

15. English  Mathlish
Try to translate this phrase from English to Mathlish:
Six times the quantity of three less than four times a number

16. English  Mathlish
Try to translate this phrase from English to Mathlish:
Six times the quantity of three less than four times a number
6(4n – 3)

17. English  Mathlish Much of this presentation was adapted from
Rappaport, J. (2000). Algebra Survival Guide. Singing Turtle Press: Santa Fe, NM.