Algebra: Express Yourself

1. Algebra: Express Yourself
Mathematics as Language
By Vicky Burke

2. Sentences Structure and Parts
 Take a few minutes to recall the terms you already know about sentences.
 For example parts of speech and/or parts of a sentence.
 noun, subject, … Can you give additional examples?
 Next think about sentence structure.
 Can you organize the words of a sentence in any order?
 A IS STUDENT SHE
 Create several more example ‘sentences’…

3. What Do Sentences Have To Do With Algebra?
 Just as we communicate with each other in spoken and written language, we also
communicate with one another using Algebra.
 Just as sentences have grammar and vocabulary, so too do algebraic expressions.
 Just as sentences have structure with specific orders to follow, so too do algebraic
expressions.
The language we speak and the language of Algebra
just might have more in common than you think!!

4. Algebraic Expressions
Learning Objectives
 Students will know the ‘parts of expressions’ in Algebra and be able to identify
these parts inside of an algebraic expression.
 Students will know the ‘order’ to perform operations and be able to use that
order correctly in rewriting expressions.

5. Parts of Expressions and Equations
 Expression: a merged mixture of numbers, variables
and operations
 Equation: a statement which shows the equality of
two expressions using an equal sign
 Variable: a letter that is used to represent one or
more numbers
 Term: the parts added together when an expression
is written as a sum
 Constant: a term that has no variable part
 Coefficient: the number out front of a product of a
number and a power of a variable
Take turns explaining to your partner why an equation contains expressions,
but an expression cannot contain an equation.

6. Parts of Expressions and Equations
 Expression: a merged mixture of numbers, variables
and operations
 Equation: a statement which shows the equality of
two expressions using an equal sign
 Variable: a letter that is used to represent one or
more numbers
 Term: the parts added together when an expression
is written as a sum
 Constant: a term that has no variable part
 Coefficient: the number out front of a product of a
number and a power of a variable
Take turns restating to your partner the parts of an expression or equation.

7. More About Terms
 Variable terms: a term that has a variable part
 Constant terms: a term that has no variable part
 Like-terms: terms whose variables (and their
exponents) are the same
 “Combine like-terms” to add or subtract like-terms
in an expression
What would be an example of like-terms
in the equation above?

8. More About Like-Terms
Matching Like-Terms Game

9. Order of Operations
Parenthesis
• grouping
symbols
• () {} []
Exponents
• Evaluate
powers
• 𝑛2, 23
Multiplication
Division
• Either ÷ or ×
• Left To Right!
Addition
Subtraction
• Either – or +
• Left to Right!

10. Guided Practice
Solve each expression using the correct order of
operations.

11. Your Thoughts…
How are sentences and algebraic expression alike?
How are they different?

12. References
Order of Operations Worksheets. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.math-
aids.com/Order_of_Operations/Order_of_Operations.html