SAT Math Term Issue Capabilities: Translating English Expressions Into Algebraic Expressions

SAT Math: Score Higher by Knowing How to Translate From English Into Algebraic Notation,

Component I: Translations Involving Only 1 Arithmetic Operation Pupils who rating large in the SAT Math are not necessarily better at computation or equation fixing. What they are far better at is “problem translation,” the potential to translate English expressions into algebraic notation. The excellent information about problem translation is that little a lot more is essential than the memorization of a set of guidelines. In the exact same way that, when using a overseas language, you memorize the reality that “property” is “Haus” in German, “maison” in French, or “casa” in Spanish, you memorize the reality that “a few considerably less than a variety” is written as “x – three” in algebraic notation.

Words indicating addition are furthermore, sum, overall, better than, improve, enhanced by, far more than. Therefore, “the sum of a variety and 7” would be written as “n + seven.” Notice that we can use any letter as a variable-x, n, w, or w or any other letter we pick.

In addition to recognizing the terms that point out addition, recognize the scenarios in which addition is logically implied. Generally, the notion of improve will indicate addition.

Subtraction is a tiny trickier due to the fact typically — but not usually — the word purchase of an English phrase indicating subtraction will be the reverse of get of the algebraic expression. Phrases indicating subtraction are minus, big difference, and much less.

Here are some frequent phrases indicating subtraction and how the corresponding algebraic expressions are composed: A number minus a few n – three The difference between a variety and five x – five three less than a variety x – three (Discover the reversal of the buy.) seven is subtracted from a amount x – 7 (Discover that the term “from” signifies a beginning level. If you say, for example, that you traveled to New York from Cleveland, that phrase implies that you commenced from Cleveland. In algebra, you “commenced” from x. Hence, the x must appear 1st in this expression.

Also, when translating into algebra, even if the essential words and phrases are not there, if the dilemma implies that a reduce has taken location, subtract. For diagnostic math test in point, if someone talks about shedding funds or the stock marketplace heading down, a decrease has taken location. Usually, that will indicate subtraction.

Multiplication: Look for terms like product and instances. More importantly, search at the fundamental logic of the difficulty. If the very same point is occurring above and over once more and you are striving to find a overall volume, consider about multiplying. Acknowledge that the word “of” when accompanying a portion or decimal signifies multiplication. For illustration, if a landlord owns ten flats and collects $800 from every tenant, his whole earnings is ten(800) = $eight,000.

Division: Look for words like divide and ratio. Far more importantly, seem for situations in which the whole is acknowledged but the size of every person portion is not recognized. Suppose we reverse the data about the landlord and we know that he has ten flats and earns $8,000 for every thirty day period. If we assume that each apartment rents for the very same amount, how much is the rent for each and every condominium? In this situation, we know a total amount and are making an attempt to discover the dimensions of each and every equal component-in this circumstance, a lease payment. For that reason, we divide.

Critical Level: Distinguish between the meanings of “greater than,” “is increased than,” and “how considerably higher than.” Better than suggests addition. eight higher than x x + 8 Is greater than indicates an inequality eight is better than 5 8 > five How significantly increased than indicates subtraction. “How considerably greater than five is x” would be prepared as

x — five. Similarly, distinguish amongst “considerably less than,” “is less than” and “how much less.”

Considerably less than indicates subtraction. 7 less than a variety is x – 7.

Is significantly less than indicates an inequality. 3 is considerably less than six is 3 < 6. How much less than indicates subtraction How much less than 8 is x 8 – x Practice the following Translation Exercises: Use x to represent an unknown number. 1. A number increased by 11.
2. The sum of a number and 13
3. 3/4 of a number
4.. A number minus 17
5. 12 less than a number.
6. 15 is subtracted from a number
7. The ratio of a number and 20.
8. A number of milk cartons is divided evenly among 15 children.
9.. How much greater is 59 than a number.
10. Total profit is x items are sold and earn $6 profit each.

Answers:

1. x + 11
2. x + 13
3. 3/4(x) (Three-fourths times x)
4. x – 17
5. x — 12
6. x — 15
7. x / 20 (x divided by 20.)
8. x/ 15 (x divided by 15)
9. 59 — x
10. 6x

The next article in this series will focus on translations involving two or more arithmetic operations.

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