Variable Expressions

A variable is a letter that represents an unknown number.

An expression is a group of numbers, symbols, and variables that represents another number.

We can translate a given word problem to a mathemeatical expression. Following are some words indicating mathematical operations in a word problem.

Sum, more than, increased by, plus, and together all mean addition (+)

Difference, less than, decreased by, and minus all mean subtraction (-)

Product, times, and of mean multiplication (×)

Quotient and divided by mean division (÷)

For example: Suppose Thomas has p cookies and Landon has 58 fewer cookies than Thomas.

Let's find an expression representing the number of cookies with Landon.

Landon has 58 fewer cookies than p.

We have to find the expression for '58 fewer than p.'

“Fewer than” means subtraction.

So, 58 fewer than p is p – 58.

Number of cookies with Landon = p – 58