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Math Vocabulary Solutions

Math is a language . Learning math vocabulary is the first step to understanding word problems, expressions, and equations. 
Word problems often include key vocabulary words that help you determine which math operation to use in an expression or equation.

Operation	Key Vocabulary
Multiply	of, product, per (depending on context), twice, times
Divide	quotient, per (depending on context), divided by
Add	and, sum, plus, add, more than, increase
Subtract	difference, minus, subtract, less, less than, decrease
Equality	is, the same as, equal to, total

When a problem uses the phrase “a number,” this represents an unknown value .
 When directions say “write a phrase or sentence with symbols” note that: 
- An expression will not have an equal sign. 
- An equation will have terms on both sides of an equal sign.

The variable n is used in the examples and practice problems in this skills lesson.

Example 1

Write the phrase or sentence with symbols.

The difference of a number and 7

n – 7

The product of a number and 5

5n

The sum of a number and 8 is zero

n + 8 = 0

The quotient of a number and 10

$\frac{n}{10}$

34 less than twice a number is 2

$2 n - 34 = 2$

Four times the sum of a number and 3 totals 16

$4 (n + 3) = 16$