Question

How to translate statements into equations?

Answer 1

Remember, an equation has an equal sign between two algebraic expressions. So if we have a sentence or a statement that tells us that two phrases are equal, we can translate it into an equation. We look for clue words that mean equals. Some words that translate to the equal sign are:

• is equal to
• is the same as
• is
• gives
• was
• will be

just look at one example.

Translate the sentence into an algebraic equation:
The sum of 6 and 9 is 15

Solution
The word is tells us the equal sign goes between 9 and 15.

Locate the “equals” word(s).	The sum of 6 and 9 is 15. The sum of 6 and 9 =15
Write the = sign.
Translate the words to the left of the equalsword into an algebraic expression.	6+9=_
Translate the words to the right of the equalsword into an algebraic expression.	6+9=15