Translate Word Phrases to Math
As with addition, word phrases can tell us to operate on two numbers using subtraction. To translate from a word phrase to math notation, we look for keywords that indicate subtraction. Some of the words that indicate subtraction are listed in a table in this lesson.
Translate Word Phrases to Math Notation
As with addition, word phrases can tell us to operate on two numbers using subtraction. To translate from a word phrase to math notation, we look for keywords that indicate subtraction. Some of the words that indicate subtraction are listed in the table below.
| Operation | Word Phrase | Example | Expression |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subtraction | minus | \(5\) minus \(1\) | \(5-1\) |
| difference | the difference of \(9\) and \(4\) | \(9-4\) | |
| decreased by | \(7\) decreased by \(3\) | \(7-3\) | |
| less than | \(5\) less than \(8\) | \(8-5\) | |
| subtracted from | \(1\) subtracted from \(6\) | \(6-1\) |
Example
Translate and then simplify:
- the difference of \(13\) and \(8\)
- subtract \(24\) from \(43\)
Solution
(a) The word difference tells us to subtract the two numbers. The numbers stay in the same order as in the phrase.
| the difference of 13 and 8 | |
| Translate. | \(13-8\) |
| Simplify. | 5 |
(b) The words subtract from tells us to take the second number away from the first. We must be careful to get the order correct.
| subtract 24 from 43 | |
| Translate. | \(43-24\) |
| Simplify. | 19 |
Extra:
Translate and simplify:
- the difference of \(14\) and \(9\)
- subtract \(21\) from \(37\)
Solution
- 14 − 9 = 5
- 37 − 21 = 16
Extra:
Translate and simplify:
- \(11\) decreased by \(6\)
- \(18\) less than \(67\)
Solution
- 11 − 6 = 5
- 67 − 18 = 49
This lesson is part of:
Introducing Numbers