Basic Algebra/Introduction to Basic Algebra Ideas/Translating Words into Math Symbols

Vocabulary

Sum

Difference

Quotient

Product

Definitions

• The sum of two unknown numbers can be written as $x+y$.
• The difference of two unknown numbers can be written as $x-y$.
• The quotient of two unknown numbers can be written as $x÷y$.
• The product of two unknown numbers can be written as $x\times y$.

Keep in mind that $x+y$ is the same as $y+x$ and $x\times y$ is the same as $y\times x$.

However, $x-y$ is not the same as $y-x$, and $x÷y$ is not the same as $y÷x$.

Practice Games

Put links here to games that reinforce these skills.

• http://www.quia.com/pa/19009.html
• http://www.quia.com/jg/278151.html

Practice Problems

<quiz display=simple points="1/1"> {If x = 5 and y = 4 and z = x + y, what does z equal? |type="{}" coef="1"} { 9_2 }

{John collected 14 cans. Tim brought in 10 cans. Suzy got 3 cans from her house and 15 more from her father's work. |type="{}" coef="2"} How many cans of food did Suzy collect? { 18_2 } How many cans of food were collected by all three children? { 42_2 }

{Billy broke a stick into 3 pieces. The first piece of the stick is 53 cm long. The second piece of the stick is 29 cm long. |type="{}" coef="1"} If the stick was 120 cm long before Billy broke it, how long is the third piece? { 38 cm (i)|38cm (i)|38_5 } </quiz> Template:Simple Page Navigation Template:BookCat