Algebraic Expressions in 6th Grade Math
By the time we start ‘officially’ translating between words and algebraic expressions, we’ve already done some translating to numerical expressions through our daily spiral review.
To connect translating words to numerical expressions and translating between words and algebraic expressions, we take some more time to translate between words and numerical expressions. We use an organizer to list the key words that typically signal the different operations. (I use the same type of circle organizer I use for my “memory wheel” templates.)
We typically include the following math terms and phrases, as you can see in the organizer:
Addition
- added to
- sum
- plus
- **more than
Subtraction
- minus
- take away
- subtracted from
- difference
- **less than
Multiplication
- times
- multiplied by
- groups of
- product of
Division
- divided by
- quotient of
Translating Words to Expressions – Tricky Phrases
6th grade math students often want to use the ‘less than’ or ‘greater than’ signs when they translate a phrase like ‘ten more than seven.’
To help students clarify the idea that ‘more than’ means ‘addition’ and ‘less than’ means ‘subtraction’, I do the following:
- Emphasize that ‘>’ and ‘<‘ are read as ‘IS less than’ and ‘IS more than’
- Ask students to phrase ‘ten more than seven’ as a question – “What is 10 more than 7?” They are able answer this as 17, which helps them realize that they have added for this phrase.
- Substitute ‘added to’ for ‘more than’: “10 added to 7”
- Substitute ‘subtracted from’ for ‘less than’: ‘8 less than 20’ can become ‘8 subtracted from 20.’
- Discuss the idea that for ‘less than’ and ‘more than,’ the number that’s being added or subtracted will be last in the phrase, like 7 + 10.
When we move to algebraic expressions like ‘ten more than x” we talk about substituting a number in place of the x, before they decide on the algebraic expression to write.
Graphic Organizer for Translating Between Words and Math
After adding the operation terms, students added these to their interactive math notebooks (if they drew their own, they drew right in their notebooks.)
Translating from Words to Algebraic Expressions
- Emphasize the importance of paying attention to the order of operations.
- Encourage students to underline the operation terms and then look at what numbers/terms are around them.
For example, for the phrase, ’20 divided by the sum of a number and 3′:
- Students might start by writing 20 ÷ x + 3
- Asking them to follow the order of operations should help them realize the algebraic expression they wrote really indicates ‘3 added to the quotient of 20 and a number‘
- Instead they need to indicate that 20 is being divided by a sum. That sum should go in parentheses to indicate that adding happens before division in this phrase: 20 ÷ (x + 3).
- If they underline the operation terms, if can help make things a little more clear: 20 divided by the sum; sum of a number and 3
Similarly, when students covert an algebraic expression to words, they need to be sure to indicate what should happen first in that expression.
For example, for the algebraic expression, (x + 8) ÷ 5:
- Students might start by writing ‘a number plus 8 divided by 5.’ But, following the order of operations for their phrase, 8 divided by 5 would be first.
- Instead, students need to indicate that the sum is being divided by 5, like ‘divide the sum of a number and 8 by 5.’
Translating between words and algebraic expressions can be tricky, but using strategies like substituting, underlining and following the order of operations definitely helps!
What strategies do you use to teach translating between words and algebraic expressions?
Resources to practice translating words and algebraic expressions:
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