Translating Math Phrases to English Phrases

1. Translating
mathematical
phrases/sentences to
math expression,
equation and inequality

2. Main Task:
To translate verbal phrases and sentences to math
expressions, equations and inequalities.
Sub-Task:
To recognize important symbols to be used upon
translating.

3. Translating mathematical phrase and
sentences to math expressions,
equations and inequalities is a basic skill
prerequisite to problem solving. Without
mastering this skill, you will be having a
hard time in answering the problem
solving which involves systems of linear
equations and linear inequalities.

4. Important Terms used:
ADDITION: add, sum, total, increased,
more,
SUBTRACTION: subtract, difference,
decreased, less, diminished
MULTIPLICATION: times, multiplied by,
product, twice (two times), thrice (three
times)
DIVISION: quotient, divided by,

5. For equation the word “is”, “gives”, “yields” is
equivalent to equal sign (=).
Inequality uses the following symbols: (<)
less than, (>) greater than, ( ≥ ) is greater
than or equal to, at least, minimum, not
less than, ( ≤ ) is less than or equal to, at
most, maximum, not greater than.
Other: SQUARED means raise to the power
of 2 or the exponent is 2.

6. Just like in English, mathematical phrase does not have a complete thought. It is
equivalent to math EXPRESSION.
Example: the sum of the numbers x and y
Explanation: take note of the word SUM, it involves addition. Thus the
phrase means you add x and y.
Answer: x + y
On the other hand, mathematical sentences is equivalent to either math
equations and inequalities.
Example: Four times a number increased by 5 is 21.
Answer:
4x + 5 = 21

7. Just like in English, mathematical phrase does not have a complete thought. It is
equivalent to math EXPRESSION.
Example: the sum of the numbers x and y
Explanation: take note of the word SUM, it involves addition. Thus the
phrase means you add x and y.
Answer: x + y
On the other hand, mathematical sentences is equivalent to either math
equations and inequalities.
Example: Four times a number increased by 5 is 21.
Answer:
4x + 5 = 21

8. Illustration
Just like in English, mathematical phrase does
not have a complete thought. It is equivalent to
math EXPRESSION.
Example: the sum of the numbers x and
y
Explanation: take note of the word SUM,
it involves addition. Thus the phrase means
you add x and y.
Answer: x + y

9. You only have to take note the important terms
and symbols needed to be used upon translating. I
hope that this module will help you as you move
forward to problem solving.
Mathematical Inequality:
Example 1:
The sum of 20-peso bills (t) and fifty peso bills (f) is greater than
Php 420.
Answer:
t + f > 420
Example 2:
The difference between the weight of Diana (d) and Princess (p) is
at least 26.
Answer:
d – p ≥ 26

10. Illustration
1.Twice a number is 6.
2.Four added to a number gives ten.
3.Twenty-five decreased by twice a
number is twelve.
Answer:
1.2x=6
2.4+x =10
3.25- 2x =12

11. Activity No. 1- Pair Me Up!
This activity will enable you to recall translations of verbal phrases to
mathematical phrases. Match the verbal phrase in Column A to the mathematical phrase in
Column B.

12. Activity No. 2 Equate
This activity will enable you to translate each
verbal sentence into a mathematical equation
and vice versa. Represent each of the following
algebraically.
1.If thrice a number is added to seven, the sum
is ninety-eight.
2.The sum of the squares of a number x and 3
yields 25.
3.The difference between thrice a number and
nine is 100.
4.The sum of the ages of Mark (m) and Shiela (s)
equals 7.

13. 1.2x+ 5 =15
2.3y=20
3.x+y=5
Answer:
1.Twice a number added by five is fifteen.
2.Thrice a number is twenty
3.The sum of x and y is 5.
Translate the ff. from math
phrase to verbal

14. Translate the ff. from math
phrase to verbal
1. 4x +2y =19
2. 3y= 9
3. x+2y = 15
4. 9x +5=17
5. y+2= 9

15. Write each statement as linear inequality
in two variables.
1. Five times the length of a ruler (r) increased by 2
inches is less than the height of Daniel (h).
2. In a month, the total amount the family spends for
food (f) and educational expenses (e) is at most Php
8,000.
3. The price of a motorcycle (m) less Php 36,000 is less
than or equal to the price of a bicycle (b).
4. A dozen of short pants (s) added to half a dozen of
pajamas (p) has a total cost of not greater than Php

16. Enrichment!
What is the difference between:
a.“x less than y” and “x less y?”
Show their translations.
b. “the sum of the squares of x and y” and
“the square of the sumof x and y?”
Show the translations.

17. Answer the ff:
1. Is it hard to translate
mathematical phrase to
English phrase? Why?
2. Which is harder, translating
from English phrase to math
phrase or from math phrase to
English phrase? Why?

18. Reference
Mathematics Learner’s Module; pages 168- 170, 232

19. Strategic Intervention Material (Grade 8

20. Content, images, text, etc.
used belong to the rightful
owner. No copyright
infringement intended