Translating English into Math

Algebraic Expressions in Words In Symbols

the product of 5 and a number 5x

a number decreased by 12 x – 12

the sum of 3 and the square of a number 3 + x2

x
6 less than the quotient of a number and 2 −6
2
1
one-half a number increased by 15 x + 15
2
4 times the difference of –3 and a number 4(–3 – x)

the square root of the sum of a number and 3 x +3

Translating English into Math

1. A minor-league baseball team is giving a local charity the sum of $1500 and $0.50 for each ticket over
2000 sold for one game. Let t represent the number of tickets sold. If the team sells more than 2000
tickets, which of the following expressions could be used to find the amount of the donation?

A. $1500 + $0.50t
B. $1500 + $0.50(2000 – t)
C. $1500 + $0.50(t – 2000)
D. $1500(2000 – t)($0.50)
Simplifying and Evaluating Expressions

Simplifying a linear expression means performing all the operations you can within an expression.

When working with variables, you must remember an important rule: you can add and subtract
like terms only.

5x + 2y – 7z + 4x

The only like terms are 5x and 4x.

They can be combined: 5x + 4x = 9x

9x + 2y – 7z
Simplifying and Evaluating Expressions

2. What is the value of 36 x − 8 y 2 when x = 3 and y = – 6?

A. 3,600
B. 1,200
C. –180
D. –288
Equations and Inequalities

An equation is a mathematical statement that demonstrates the equality between two expressions.
4×2=8
An inequality is a mathematical statement that connects two unequal expressions.
Unlike equations, you must flip the inequality sign when you multiply or divide by a negative
value.

Instead of an equal sign, an inequality will contain one of the following symbols:
• Greater than (>) –2x + 11 ≤ –7
• Less than (<) −−2x
2x  −18
– 11 –11  xx  99
• Greater than or equal to (≥) −2 −2
• Less than or equal to (≤) –2x ≤ –18
Equations and Inequalities

3. Annie is planning a business meeting for her company. She has a budget of $1,325 for renting a
meeting room at a local hotel and providing lunch. She expects 26 people to attend the meeting. The
cost of renting the meeting room is $270. Which inequality shows how to find the amount, x, Annie can
spend on lunch for each person?

A. 26x + 270 > 1,325

B. 26x + 270 < 1,325

C. 270x + 26 > 1,325

D. 270x + 26 < 1,325

Mixed Practice

4. There are s steps from the pedestal to the head of the Statue of Liberty. The number of steps in the
Washington Monument is 27 less than 6 times the number of steps in the Statue of Liberty. Which
expression represents the number of steps in the Washington Monument in terms of s?

A. 6s – 27
B. 27 < 6s
C. 6(s + 27)
D. 6s < 27
Mixed Practice

5. A school is selling t-shirts as a fund raiser. For each shirt that is sold, the school will earn 7 dollars.
Which inequality shows how to find the minimum number of t-shirts, s, the school must sell in order to
earn at least $2,500?

A. 2,500 < 7s
B. 2,500 > 7s
C. 2,500 > 7s
D. 2,500 < 7s
Polynomials

A polynomial is a mathematical expression containing multiple algebraic terms.

3x2 + 7y + 8

Each term in a polynomial will contain a combination of coefficients, variables, exponents, and integers.
3x2 + 7y + 8

coefficients
exponent
variables
integer
A polynomial with exactly two terms is known as a binomial.
x+7
y-4
Adding & Subtracting Polynomials

When adding and subtracting polynomials, you can only combine like terms.

Like terms have the same variable and the same exponent.
Like terms: 8x2 and –6x2
Unlike terms: 9y2 and 9y4

To add and subtract like terms, keep the same variable and exponent and add or subtract the
coefficients.
8x2 + (–6x2) = 8x2 + 1(–6x2) = 8x2 – 6x2 = 2x2
Dividing Polynomials

You can divide a polynomial (multiple terms) by a monomial (one term).

4x2 − 8y3
2
When you divide a polynomial by a number, such as 2, you divide just the coefficients.

4x2 − 8y3 4x2 8y3

= − = 2x2 − 4y3
2 2 2

When you divide a polynomial by a variable, you can only simplify terms that share a common variable.

Remember: you cannot divide anything by zero.

4x2 − 8y3 4x2 8y3 8y3
= − = 4x −
x 1x 1x x
Dividing Polynomials

To simplify more complex polynomial division, look for the factors and variables that each term has in
common with the divisor:

8x4 y + 6x2 y3 8x4 y 6x2 y3

= 2 +
6x2 y 6x y 6x2 y

Divide the coefficients: Divide the x terms: Divide the y terms:

8x4 y 6x2 y3 4x4 y x2 y3 4x2 y y3

+ + +
6x2 y 6x2 y 3x2 y x2 y 3y y

4x4 y 1x2 y3 4x2 y (1)y3 4x2 (1) y2 4x2

= 2 + 2 = + = + = + y2
3x y 1x y 3(1)y (1)y 3(1) 1 3
Mixed Practice

6. What is the simplified form of the expression 3a2b + 4ab + 3a2b + 5ab?

A. 6a3b2 + 8a3b2
B. 6a2b + 8ab
C. 15a6 + b4
D. 6a2b + 9ab
Mixed Practice

7. When simplified, how many terms are in the polynomial j2 + k3 – 2j3 + 5k3 – 2j2?

A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5
Mixed Practice

8. Which of the following equals (5x2 − 2x + 1) − (3x2 − 3x − 2)?

A. x − 5x − 2
B. 2x2 − x + 3
C. 2x2 + x + 3
D. 2x2 − 5x + 3
Multiplying Binomials
To multiply two binomials, just remember the acronym FOIL:

First, Outer, Inner, Last

2x +33) (xx – 5 5) = 2x2 – 10x + 3x – 15 = 2x2 – 7x – 15

(2x

There are 3 patterns that pop up so often that it’s worth memorizing them:

(a + b)(a + b) = a2 + 2ab + b2 (x + 3)(x + 3) = x2 + 2(x)(3) + 32 = x2 + 6x + 9

(a – b)(a – b) = a2 – 2ab + b2 (x – 3)(x – 3) = x2 – 2(x)(3) + 32 = x2 – 6x + 9

(a + b)(a – b) = a2 – b2 (x + 3)(x – 3) = x2 – 32 = x2 – 9
Multiplying Binomials

9. Which of the following expressions is equivalent to (3x + 8)(x + 2)?

A. 3x + 10x + 6
B. 3x2 + 14x + 16
C. 3x2 + 24x – 6
D. 3x3 + 14x + 16
Quadratic Equations
To solve a quadratic equation in the form x2 + bx + c = 0, look for two numbers that add to b and
multiply to c.

x2 + 2x – 15 = 0

What two numbers add to 2 and multiply to –15? 5 and –3

x2 + 2x – 15 = (x + 5)(x – 3) = 0
Since anything times zero equals zero, we can set each term equal to zero to find the solutions:

x+5=0 x–3=0
x = –5 x=3
So, the solutions to the quadratic equation in the form x2 + 2x – 15 = 0 are x = –5 and x = 3.
Functions

A function is a rule that shows how the terms in one sequence of numbers are related to the terms in
another sequence.

Each distinct number entered into the function produces a unique output.

number (n) of scarves 1 2 3 4

cost (c) per scarf $5.00 $4.75 $4.50 $4.25

Anatomy of a Function

f(x) = 3x + 2
• f = function name
• x = input
• 3x + 2 = output

“Given the input x, f of x equals 3 times x plus 2”

What is f(4)?
Write: f(4) = 3(4) + 2, or f(4) = 14
Functions

The Chimney Sweep charges $25 for a chimney inspection. If the customer purchases additional services,
$15 of the inspection fee is deducted. Let s represent the cost of any additional services. The total cost, C,
of an inspection and services can be determined by the function C = $25 + (s − $15) where s is greater
than 0.

10. Jan has her chimney inspected and purchases a smoke guard for $89. How much will she be charged?

A. $99
B. $104
C. $129
D. $174
Functions

The Chimney Sweep charges $25 for a chimney inspection. If the customer purchases additional services,
$15 of the inspection fee is deducted. Let s represent the cost of any additional services. The total cost, C,
of an inspection and services can be determined by the function C = $25 + (s − $15) where s is greater
than 0.

11. After an inspection, Ahmed decides to have a new damper installed for $255. How much will he pay?

A. $215
B. $265
C. $280
D. $295
Mixed Practice

12. If the temperature is 68° Fahrenheit, what is the temperature in Celsius?

Temperature Conversion Formulas

To convert Fahrenheit (°F) to 5
C= (F − 32)
Celsius (°C) 9
To convert Celsius (°C) to 9
F = C + 32
Fahrenheit (°F) 5

A. 20°
B. 36°
C. 154.4°
D. 180°
Mixed Practice

18 x 2 + 6 xy
13. What is the simplified form of the expression ?
3x
A. 6x + 2y
B. 6x + 2
C. 15x + 3y
D. 15x + 3