Lessons Writing Equations

Write an equation from a verbal sentence.

Translate an equation into a verbal sentence

Determine if an equation is true by substituting values into the equation.

An expression is a mathematical phrase.

We can translate a verbal phrase into a mathematical expression.

Example "a number increased by 4" can be translated into the expression n + 4

An equation is a mathematical sentence.

An equation has an equals sign, and expression does not

Word problems containing words or phrases that describe equality, such as is, equals, is equal to, and is the same as can be translated into equations.

"A number increased by 4 is 10" can be written as the equation:

n + 4 = 10

is means =

"A number decreased by 8" tells us that a number we don't know should be subtracted by 8

x - 8 =

The words after the word is, tells us what should be on the right side of the equation. So 12 should be on the right side of the equation.

x - 8 = 12