Writing Algebraic Expressions

Writing Algebraic Expressions

Miss O'Reilly

1st year maths

Some Maths problems are written in words instead of just numbers!

Today we will learn how to convert from word problems to number problems 😊

Multiple Choice

If 5 times some number plus 4 is equal to 39, what number is this number?

• 5

• 6

• 7

• 8

If we let the original number equal to x we can begin to solve these kinds of problems

• 5 times some number can be written as 5x

• when we add 4 to this we are left with 5x + 4

Multiple Choice

It is important that units of measurement in a question all correspond (are all the same). Is it ok to have a question where some measurements are in meters and others in centimetres?

• yes

• no

It is also important that any letters we use are clearly defined

we need to let whoever is reading our work know what each letter means

If g represents the number of goals scored in a football match, this must be written on the page

Multiple Choice

if x is a number, which is an expression for this number plus 2

• 2x

• x+2

• 2x+2

Open Ended

If x is a number, write an expression for this number minus 10