Math Talk

In real life you don’t get equations to solve. You have to convert things into algebra first. Here are some common phrases:

Addition: 5 + r
  > The sum of 5 and r
  > 5 plus r
  > 5 increased by r
  > 5 and r
  > r more than 5
  > r greater than 5

Subtraction: q - 6
  > The difference of q and 6
  > q minus 6
  > q decreased by 6

  > q less 6
  > 6 less than q

Inequalities: q < 6
  > q is less than 6

>Inequalities: 5 > u
  > 5 is greater than u


Multiplication: 3t or 3*t or 3(t)
  > The product of 3 and t
  > 3 times t
  > 3 multiplied by t

            x
Division:  ---
            5
  > The quotient of x and 5
  > x divided by 5
  > x over 5

Parentheses: 4*(d-2)
  > 4 times the quantity d minus 2
  > 4, times d minus 2
  > 4 times the difference of d and 2

Parentheses: (8 + w) * 5
  > The quantity 8 plus w, times 5
  > 5 times the sum of 8 and w

Exponents: k², k^2, z³, l⁴, d^5
  > k squared, k squared, z cubed, l to the 4th power, d to the 5th