In this Grade 5 lesson from enVision Mathematics Chapter 13, students learn how to write numerical expressions using numbers, operations, and parentheses to represent multi-step calculations. The lesson focuses on translating verbal descriptions into expressions such as 4 × (546 + 102), with emphasis on how parentheses indicate which operation to perform first. Students practice writing expressions for real-world situations involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division across whole numbers, decimals, and fractions.
Section 1
Writing Multi-Step Expressions from Verbal Phrases
To write an expression from words or a diagram, identify the quantities and the operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division). Use parentheses ( ) to group parts of the expression that are calculated first, as described by the phrase.
Section 2
Writing Expressions for Word Problems with Whole Numbers
A numerical expression is a mathematical phrase involving only numbers and one or more operation symbols. To write an expression for a real-world problem, identify the quantities and the operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) described in the situation.
Problem: Sarah buys 3 books for 12 dollars each and a magazine for 5 dollars. Write an expression for the total cost.
Expression:
Problem: A bus has 45 passengers. At a stop, 10 passengers get off and 7 get on. Write an expression for the number of passengers now on the bus.
Expression:
To translate a word problem into a numerical expression, first read the problem carefully to understand the situation. Identify the key numbers and what actions are happening to them, which correspond to mathematical operations. Use parentheses to group parts of the calculation that need to be done first, following the order of events in the problem.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter
Expand to review the lesson summary and core properties.
Section 1
Writing Multi-Step Expressions from Verbal Phrases
To write an expression from words or a diagram, identify the quantities and the operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division). Use parentheses ( ) to group parts of the expression that are calculated first, as described by the phrase.
Section 2
Writing Expressions for Word Problems with Whole Numbers
A numerical expression is a mathematical phrase involving only numbers and one or more operation symbols. To write an expression for a real-world problem, identify the quantities and the operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) described in the situation.
Problem: Sarah buys 3 books for 12 dollars each and a magazine for 5 dollars. Write an expression for the total cost.
Expression:
Problem: A bus has 45 passengers. At a stop, 10 passengers get off and 7 get on. Write an expression for the number of passengers now on the bus.
Expression:
To translate a word problem into a numerical expression, first read the problem carefully to understand the situation. Identify the key numbers and what actions are happening to them, which correspond to mathematical operations. Use parentheses to group parts of the calculation that need to be done first, following the order of events in the problem.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter