These educational resources involve converting verbal phrases and sentences into mathematical expressions containing variables, constants, and operations. For example, the phrase “five more than a number” is translated into the algebraic expression “x + 5,” where ‘x’ represents the unknown number. Similarly, “twice a number decreased by three” becomes “2y – 3,” ‘y’ being the variable. The objective is to accurately represent the relationships described in words using algebraic symbols.
The ability to perform these translations is a foundational skill in algebra. This proficiency allows for the application of algebraic techniques to solve real-world problems framed in narrative form. Historically, developing fluency in this area has been a key component of early algebra education, enabling students to move from concrete arithmetic to more abstract algebraic thinking. Its benefits include improved problem-solving abilities and the capacity to model and analyze various quantitative relationships.
