Math 6A ( Periods 2 & 4)

Writing Mathematical Equations 2-2

The process of writing equations really is just writing two equal expressions and joining them by an equals sign. The words "is" "equals" or "equal to" all indicate that two phrases NAME the same number.
The equals sign is the VERB in a mathematical sentence-- without it you have a mathematical expression!!
Eight increased by a number x is equal to thirty-seven.
In translating this mathematical sentence, I always start but placing the equals sign directly under the words "is equal"
so my first step would be

Eight increased by a number x is equal to thirty-seven.
----------------------------------- = ------------------
Then I would translate each mathematical phrase separately.
Yes, thirty-seven is a mathematical phrase!!
8 + x = 37

Ten is two less than a number n
10 = n - 2

Twice a number w equals the sum of the number and four
2w = n + 4

Notice that when you are indicating multiplication the number (coefficient) ALWAYS is placed in front of the variable.

So three times a number b would be 3b
The only time you see the letter first-- is when you are looking for our ROOM--
which is K 101... a mathematician did not label the room numbers!! :)

Sometimes we need to write an equation for a word sentence that involves measurements. MAKE SURE that each side of the equation uses the SAME UNIT of Measurement!!
For example. Write an equation for: The value of d dimes is $27.50
WE know that the value of d dimes is 10d cents (from our previous lesson) .. but $27.50 is in terms of dollars so we need to change it to cents . $27.50 is 2750 cents ... So our equation becomes 10d = 2750.