6.

5 Translating Words into

Algebraic Symbols
 In order to solve application
problems, it is necessary to
translate English phrases into
algebraic symbols. The following
are some common phrases and
their mathematic translation.
 Applications

Translating from Words to Mathematical Expressions

Mathematical Expression
Verbal Expression (where x and y are numbers)

Addition

The sum of a number and 2 x+2

3 more than a number x+3

7 plus a number 7+x

16 added to a number x + 16

A number increased by 9 x+9

The sum of two numbers x+y
 Applications

Translating from Words to Mathematical Expressions

Mathematical Expression
Verbal Expression (where x and y are numbers)

Subtraction

4 less than a number x–4

10 minus a number 10 – x

A number decreased by 5 x–5

A number subtracted from 12 12 – x

The difference between two x–y

numbers
 Applications

Translating from Words to Mathematical Expressions

Mathematical Expression
Verbal Expression (where x and y are numbers)

Multiplication

14 times a number 14x

A number multiplied by 8 8x
3 of a number (used with 3 x
4 4
fractions and percent)

Triple (three times) a number 3x

The product of two numbers xy

 Applications
Translating from Words to Mathematical Expressions
Mathematical Expression
Verbal Expression (where x and y are numbers)

Division

The quotient of 6 and a number 6 (x ≠ 0)

x

A number divided by 15 x
15

half a number
x
2
 Applications

Caution
CAUTION
Because subtraction and division are not commutative operations, be careful
to correctly translate expressions involving them. For example, “5 less than a
number” is translated as x – 5, not 5 – x. “A number subtracted from 12” is
expressed as 12 – x, not x – 12.
For division, the number by which we are dividing is the denominator, and
the number into which we are dividing is the numerator. For example, “a
number divided by 15” and “15 divided into x” both translate as 15x . Similarly,
“the quotient of x and y” is translated as xy .
 Applications

Indicator Words for Equality

Equality
The symbol for equality, =, is often indicated by the word is. In fact, any
words that indicate the idea of “sameness” translate to =.
 Applications

Translating Words into Equations

Verbal Sentence Equation

Twice a number, decreased by 4, is 32. 2x – 4 = 32

If the product of a number and 16 is decreased 16x – 25 = 87

by 25, the result is 87.

x
The quotient of a number and the number plus x + 6 = 48
6 is 48.

The quotient of a number and 8, plus the x + x = 54

8
number, is 54.
 Applications
Distinguishing between Expressions
and Equations
Decide whether each is an expression or an equation.

(a) 4(6 – x) + 2x – 1
There is no equals sign, so this is an expression.

(b) 4(6 – x) + 2x – 1 = –15

Because of the equals sign, this is an equation.

Note that the expression in part (a) simplifies to the expression –2x + 23
and the equation in part (b) has solution 19.
6.6 Applications Involving
Equations
 Applications

Six Steps to Solving Application Problems

Six Steps to Solving Application Problems

Step 1 Read the problem, several times if necessary, until you understand
what is given and what is to be found.
Step 2 If possible draw a picture or diagram to help visualize the problem.

Step 3 Assign a variable to represent the unknown value, using diagrams

or tables as needed. Write down what the variable represents.
Express any other unknown values in terms of the variable.
Step 4 Write an equation using the variable expression(s).
Step 5 Solve the equation.

Step 6 Check the answer in the words of the original problem.

 Applications

Solving a Geometry Problem

The length of a rectangle is 2 ft more than three times the width. The perimeter
of the rectangle is 124 ft. Find the length and the width of the rectangle.
Step 1 Read the problem. We must find the length and width of the rectangle.
The length is 2 ft more than three times the width and the perimeter is
124 ft.
Step 2 Assign a variable. Let W = the width; then 2 + 3W = length.
Make a sketch.
W
2 + 3W
Step 3 Write an equation. The perimeter of a rectangle is given by the
formula P = 2L + 2W.
124 = 2(2 + 3W) + 2W Let L = 2 + 3W and P = 124.
 Applications

Solving a Geometry Problem

The length of a rectangle is 2 ft more than three times the width. The perimeter
of the rectangle is 124 ft. Find the length and the width of the rectangle.
Step 4 Solve the equation obtained in Step 3.

124 = 2(2 + 3W) + 2W

124 = 4 + 6W + 2W Remove parentheses

124 = 4 + 8W Combine like terms.

124 – 4 = 4 + 8W – 4 Subtract 4.

120 = 8W
120 8W
8 = 8 Divide by 8.

15 = W
 Applications

Solving a Geometry Problem

The length of a rectangle is 2 ft more than three times the width. The perimeter
of the rectangle is 124 ft. Find the length and the width of the rectangle.
Step 5 State the answer. The width of the rectangle is 15 ft and the length is
2 + 3(15) = 47 ft.
Step 6 Check the answer by substituting these dimensions into the words of
the original problem.
Saw a board 8 ft 4 in into nine equal pieces.
If the loss per cut is 1/8 in, how long will
each piece be?
• Step 1: the board is to cut into 9 equal parts
with 1/8 in wasted each cut. Since the
measures are mixed ft and in convert to in.
• Step 2: draw a picture.

100 in

1
8
Saw a board 8 ft 4 in into nine equal pieces.
If the loss per cut is 1/8 in, how long will
each piece be?
• Assign a variable for the
unknown.
• Let x = the length of each
equal piece.
100 in
x x x x x x x x x

1
• Write an equation: 8
1
9 x  (8)  100
8
Saw a board 8 ft 4 in into nine equal pieces.
If the loss per cut is 1/8 in, how long will
each piece be?
• Solve the equation.

1
9 x  (8)  100
8
9 x  1  100
9 x  99
x  11
 Saw a board 8 ft 4 in into nine equal pieces.
If the loss per cut is 1/8 in, how long will
each piece be?
• Each piece should be 11 in long.
• Check in the problem.
 Distribute $1000 into 3 parts so that one part will
three times as large as the second and the third
part will be as large as the sum of the other two.
• Read carefully. Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

• Make a table:
3(?) ? 3(?) + ?
3x x 3x + x
• Assign a variable. Since
there are 3 unknowns we
need 2 more expressions
using the variable .

• Write an equation 3 x  x  3x  x  1000

 Distribute $1000 into 3 parts so that one part will
three times as large as the second and the third
part will be as large as the sum of the other two.
• Solve the equation

3 x  x  3 x  x  1000
8 x  1000
x  125
3 x  375
3 x  x  500
 Applications of Linear Equations

Solving an Investment Problem

A local company has $50,000 to invest. It will put part of the money in an
account paying 3% interest and the remainder into stocks paying 5%. If the
total annual income from these investments will be $2180, how much will be
invested in each account?
Step 1 Read the problem. We must find the amount invested in each account.
Step 2 Assign a variable. The formula for interest is I = p r t.
Let x = the amount to invest at 3%;
50,000 – x = the amount to invest at 5%.
Rate (as a decimal) Principle Time Interest
.03 x 1 0.03x
.05 50,000 – x 1 .05(50,000 – x)
50,000  Totals  2180
 Applications of Linear Equations

Solving an Investment Problem

A local company has $50,000 to invest. It will put part of the money in an
account paying 3% interest and the remainder into stocks paying 5%. If the
total annual income from these investments will be $2180, how much will be
invested in each account?
Rate (as a decimal) Principle Time Interest
.03 x 1 0.03x
.05 50,000 – x 1 .05(50,000 – x)
50,000  Totals  2180

Step 3 Write an equation. The last column of the table gives the equation.
interest at 3% + interest at 5% = total interest

.03x + .05(50,000 – x) = 2180

 Applications of Linear Equations

Solving an Investment Problem

A local company has $50,000 to invest. It will put part of the money in an
account paying 3% interest and the remainder into stocks paying 5%. If the
total annual income from these investments will be $2180, how much will be
invested in each account?
Step 4 Solve the equation. We do so without clearing decimals.
.03x + .05(50,000 – x) = 2180
.03x + .05(50,000) – .05x = Distributive property
2180
.03x + 2500 – .05x = Multiply.
2180
–.02x + 2500 = 2180 Combine like terms.
–.02x = –320 Subtract 2500
x = 16,000 Divide by –.02.
 Applications of Linear Equations

Solving an Investment Problem

A local company has $50,000 to invest. It will put part of the money in an
account paying 3% interest and the remainder into stocks paying 5%. If the
total annual income from these investments will be $2180, how much will be
invested in each account?
Step 5 State the answer. The company will invest $16,000 at 3%. At 5%, the
company will invest $50,000 – $16,000 = $34,000.
Step 6 Check by finding the annual interest at each rate; they should total
$2180.
0.03($16,000) = $480 and .05($34,000) = $1700

$480 + $1700 = $2180, as required.

 Solving a Mixture Problem

A chemist must mix 12 L of a 30% acid solution with some 80% solution to get
a 60% solution.EXAMPLE
How much7of the 80% solution should be used?

Step 1 Read the problem. The problem asks for the amount of 80% solution
to be used.
Step 2 Assign a variable. Let x = the number of liters of 80% solution to be
used.

80%
30%
+
80%
=
60%
30%
12 L Unknown (12 + x)L
number of liters, x
 A chemist must mix 12 L of a 30% acid solution
with some 80% solution to get a 60% solution.
How much of the 80% solution should be used?

• Write an equation.

30%
+
80%
=
60%
12 L x (12 + x)L

.30(12)  .80 x  .60(12  x)

 A chemist must mix 12 L of a 30% acid solution
with some 80% solution to get a 60% solution.
How much of the 80% solution should be used?

• Solve the equation.

.30(12)  .80 x  .60(12  x)

3.6  .8 x  7.2  .6 x
.2 x  3.6
x  18