In mathematics, as in everyday language, we use statements
to communicate ideas. Here
we are translating into algebraic
equations. In order to write these
equations, you must
look carefully at the wording – changing one word or its position can
significantly change
both the meaning of the sentence and
its algebraic translation.
EXAMPLE:
x is 8% more than some y
X = 1.08y (1 gives you the y and .08 gives you the more)
Translate the following sentences into an equation
with two variables.
1) x is 15% of y 2) x is 15% larger than y
3) x is 15% smaller than y 4) x is 35% larger than some y
5) The median sales prices for a new single-family home in
1997 had risen by roughly
70% over the price in 1987. (Let x
represent the price in 1997, and y represent the price in 1987).
6) The increase in the perimeter of a rectangle if its
length of L feet is increased by 25%
and its width of W feet is increased by
10%.
7) The decrease in the circumference of a circle if its
diameter of d meters is shortened by
12%.
8) One number is 55% smaller than a second number.
9) One number is five more than 20% of another number.
10) One number is two less than 18% of a second number.
*
adapted from College Algebra, Houghton Mifflin, 1992