Algebra I

A variable is a symbol used to denote any element of a given set—often a letter used to stand for a number. Variables are used to change verbal expressions into algebraic expressions.

Example 1

Give the algebraic expression.

Verbal Expression
Algebraic Expression
 | The sum of a number n and 7  | n + 7 or 7 + n
| The number n diminished by 10  | n – 10
| Seven times the number n | 7 n
| x divided by 4  |
| Five more than the product of 2 and n | 2 n + 5 or 5 + 2 n
| Seven less than the quotient of y and 4  |

• Key words denoting addition:
•  | sum | larger than | enlarge
   | plus | gain | rise
   | more than | increase | grow
   | greater than |  | 
• Key words denoting subtraction:
•  | difference | smaller than | lower
   | minus | fewer than | diminish
   | lose | decrease | reduced
   | less than | drop | 
• Key words denoting multiplication:
•  | product | times | of
   | multiplied by | twice | 
• Key words denoting division:
•  | quotient | ratio
   | divided by | half