Algebraic Word Problem Translation Keywords

Vocabulary flashcards covering clue words and phrases used to translate verbal statements into mathematical operations, equations, parentheses, and switched-order expressions.

Addition (Translating Words)

A mathematical operation signaled by keywords such as add, together, plus, combined, increase, both, and, more, and sum.

Subtraction (Translating Words)

A mathematical operation signaled by keywords such as how much more, how much greater, less (than), difference, change, take away, diminish, decrease, and deduct.

Multiplication (Translating Words)

A mathematical operation signaled by keywords such as product, times, twice, double, of, each, by, per, as much, and half ($\times \frac{1}{2}$).

Division (Translating Words)

A mathematical operation signaled by keywords such as quotient, shared equally, split, ratio, half ($\div 2$), every, average, equal parts, and per.

Equals (Translating Words)

A mathematical relationship represented by an equal sign ($=$, signaled by keywords such as is, total, will be, gives, and were.

Parenthesis (Translating Words)

Grouping symbols signaled by multi-word phrases such as "the difference of" and "the sum of" that group operations together.

Turn Around Word

Keywords such as "than" and "from" that indicate flipping or reversing the order of the terms when translating an English phrase into a mathematical expression.

Sum

An addition keyword that denotes the total result of adding two or more numbers together.

Difference

A subtraction keyword that denotes the result of taking one number away from another.

Product

A multiplication keyword that denotes the result of multiplying quantities together.

Quotient

A division keyword that denotes the result obtained by dividing one number by another.

Per

A dual-context keyword that can indicate either multiplication or division depending on the structure of the problem.

Half

A keyword that can be translated either through multiplication as multiplying by $\frac{1}{2}$ ($\times \frac{1}{2}$) or through division as dividing by $2$ ($\div 2$).