Keywords for Translating Phrases
Keywords for translating phrases is a prealgebra skill from OpenStax Prealgebra 2E that teaches students to recognize operation-specific vocabulary in word problems and convert them to mathematical symbols. Addition keywords include sum, more than, plus, and increased by. Subtraction keywords include difference, less than, minus, and decreased by. Multiplication keywords include product, times, and twice. Division keywords include quotient, divided by, per, and ratio. Covered in Chapter 2 of OpenStax Prealgebra 2E on The Language of Algebra, knowing these translation keywords is the foundational skill for converting any word problem into an algebraic expression or equation.
Key Concepts
Property Translating word phrases into algebraic expressions involves identifying keywords that signify mathematical operations.
Addition : sum, more than, plus, increased by Subtraction : difference, less than, minus, decreased by Multiplication : product, times, twice Division : quotient, divided by.
Examples Translate "the product of 4 and a number x" into an expression. The keyword "product" means multiplication, so the expression is $4x$.
Common Questions
What are the keywords for addition in word problems?
Sum, more than, increased by, plus, added to, total, and combined are common addition keywords. For example, five more than x is x + 5.
What are the keywords for subtraction in word problems?
Difference, less than, decreased by, minus, subtracted from, and fewer than signal subtraction. Be careful with order: eight less than x means x - 8, not 8 - x.
What are the keywords for multiplication in word problems?
Product, times, of, twice, doubled, and triple indicate multiplication. For example, twice a number is 2x, and three times a number is 3x.
What course covers keywords for translating phrases?
Translation keywords are covered in Chapter 2 of OpenStax Prealgebra 2E on The Language of Algebra.
What is the trickiest translation keyword to use correctly?
Less than is frequently reversed. Seven less than a number means the number minus 7 (x - 7), NOT 7 minus the number. The phrase names what is being subtracted, not the minuend.
How do translation keywords prepare students for algebra?
Every algebraic word problem in middle and high school is unlocked by recognizing these keywords and converting them to symbols. Students who master translation in prealgebra work significantly faster in algebra.