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8

LESSON

Algebraic Representation
When you solve an algebra word problem, you must rst be able to translate the conditions of the problem into an equation involving algebraic expressions. An algebraic expression will consist of variables (letters), numbers, operation signs (, , , ), and grouping symbols such as parentheses. Here are some common phrases that are used in algebra word problems: Addition can be denoted by sum added to increased by larger than more than

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LESSON 8 Algebraic Representation


Subtraction can be denoted by less than subtracted from decreased by exceeds shorter than dierence between Multiplication can be denoted by product times multiplied by twice as large three times a number 1 2 of a number Division can be denoted by divided by quotient of Equals can be denoted by is will be is equal to Here are some examples of how these phrases are translated into symbols: Word Statement Five times a number x Three more than a number x A number x decreased by 7 One-half of a number x The square of a number Nine added to twice a number x Four times a number minus eight The cost of x feet of rope at 15 cents a foot Symbolic Representation 5x x3 x7 x
1 2x 2

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or

x 2

9 2x 4x 8 0.15x

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LESSON 8

Algebraic Representation

Try These
Write each in symbols: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Six times a number x decreased by four. A number x increased by six. Eight less than a number x. Fifteen minus one-third of a number x. The square of a number x plus 7.

SOLUTIONS: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6x 4 x6 x8 x 15 1 3 x or 15 3 2 x 7

In the previous examples, only one unknown was used. At other times, it is necessary to represent two related unknowns by using one variable. Consider these examples: The sum of two numbers is 12. When you are given two numbers whose sum is 12 and one number is, say, 7, how would you nd the other number? You would say 12 7. So if one number is x, the other number would be 12 x. One number is six more than another number. If I told you one number is 10, how would you nd the other number? You would add 10 6. So if one stated number is x, the other number would be x 6. One number is ve times another number. If I told you one number is two, how would you nd the other number? You would multiply two by ve. So if one number is x, the other number would be 5x. One number is twelve less than another number. If I told you one number was 30, how would you nd the other number? You would subtract 30 12. So if one number is x, the other number is x 12.

Try These
Represent each using symbols: 1. The sum of two numbers is 15.

LESSON 8 Algebraic Representation


2. 3. 4. 5. One number is four times another number. One number is 6 more than twice the other number. One number is 4 less than one-half another number. The dierence of two numbers is 12.

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SOLUTIONS: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Let Let Let Let Let x the x the x the x the x the rst rst rst rst rst number number number number number and and and and and 15 x the second number. 4x the second number. 2x 6 the second number. 1 2 x 4 the second number. x 12 the second number.

The third skill necessary to solve word problems is to be able to translate the given symbols of representation into an equation. Consider these examples. Three times a number increased by 10 is equal to 28 translates to 3 x 10 28 Seven times a number decreased by 6 is equal to 29. 7 x 6 29 The dierence between a number and one-half itself is equal to 12. 1 x x 12 2

Try These
Translate each into an equation: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Seven increased by four times a number is 31. If 5 is subtracted from two times a number, the answer is 15. One half a number plus 8 is equal to 19. Two times a number plus $1.20 is equal to $1.80. The sum of a number and two times itself is equal to 30.

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SOLUTIONS: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 7 4x 31 2x 5 15 1 2 x 8 19 2x 1.20 1.80 x 2x 30

LESSON 8

Algebraic Representation

Finally, it is necessary to be able to write an equation for two related unknowns using one variable. EXAMPLE: Write an equation for this problem: One number is 10 more than another number and their sum is 16. SOLUTION: Let x the smaller number and x 10 the larger number. The equation is x x 10 16. EXAMPLE: Write an equation for this problem: One number is ve times as large as another number. If three times the smaller number is subtracted from the larger number, the answer is 20. SOLUTION: Let x the smaller number and 5x the larger number. The equation is 5x 3x 20.

Try These
Write an equation for each: 1. The smaller number is their sum is 36.
1 2

of the larger number. Find the numbers if

2. A certain number exceeds another number by 6. If their sum is 56, nd the numbers. 3. One number is 8 more than twice another number. Find the numbers if their sum is 50. 4. What number increased by
1 4

of itself is equal to 5?

5. Two times a number is 6 more than 1 2 the number. Find the numbers.

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