Translate Words to Equations

How to translate words into algebraic equations?
Translating words to equations is a fundamental skill in algebra and is essential for solving word problems. In order to solve algebra word problems, we must first learn how to translate words and statements into equations. We can then use algebra to solve the equations.

The following diagram gives some examples of translating word problems to equations. Scroll down the page for more examples and solutions of translating word problems.

Algebra Worksheets
Practice your skills with the following Algebra worksheets:
Printable & Online Algebra Worksheets

1. Identify the Unknowns:
   Read the problem carefully and determine what you are trying to find. These unknowns will be represented by variables (usually letters like (x), (y), (n), etc.).
   Be specific about what each variable represents. For example, “Let (w) be the width of the rectangle."
   
2. Look for Keywords and Phrases:
   Certain words and phrases indicate specific mathematical operations:
   Addition (+): sum, more than, increased by, added to, total, plus
   Subtraction (-): difference, less than, decreased by, subtracted from, minus
   Multiplication (×): product, times, multiplied by, of, twice (× 2), triple (× 3)
   Division (÷ or /): quotient, divided by, per, half, a third
   Equals (=): is, are, was, were, will be, results in, gives, equals
   
3. Break Down the Sentence:
   Translate the word problem sentence by sentence, or even phrase by phrase, into algebraic expressions and equations.
   
4. Formulate the Equation(s):
   Combine the algebraic expressions based on the relationships described in the problem to create one or more equations.
   
5. Solve the Equation(s):
   Use algebraic techniques to solve for the unknown variable(s).
   
6. Check Your Answer:
   Substitute the solution back into the original word problem to make sure it makes sense and satisfies all the conditions.

Translating Words To Algebraic Equations
This video explains the process of translating sentences into equations and writing two step equations in order to solve word problems.

• Show Step-by-step Solutions

This video will show how to translate math and word statements.

• Show Step-by-step Solutions

This video will show how to translate word statements to math.

• Show Step-by-step Solutions

This video will show how to translate words and expressions into algebraic expressions involving variables.

• Show Step-by-step Solutions

This video will show how to make words into equations

• Show Step-by-step Solutions

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