Framing Algebraic Expressions for Mathematical and Real-World Problems

Write an expression for the following:

-1/2a - 7

• One half of a number minus seven.

• Negative one half a number minus seven.

• Negative one half plus seven.

• One half of a number plus seven.

the quotient of 11 and a number

• 11/n

• n/11

• n(11)

• 11/1

24 more than Shanta's test score.

• 24x

• x - 24

• x + 24

• x/24

Which of the following algebraic expressions means the quotient of n and 8 increased by 3?

A camp leader figures that she needs one tent for every three campers, plus a tent for herself. Define a variable and write an expression to represent the number of tents needed.

​ ​ (a)   ​ ​ ​ ​ (b)  

• 1c + 3

• 3c + 1

• t = tents

• 1t + 3

• 3t + 1

• c = (number of) campers

The distance around a basketball, or circumference, is about three times the circumference of a softball. Define a variable and write an expression to represent the circumference of a basketball.​ (a)   ​ (b)  

• c = circumference of a softball

• 3c

• c = circumference of a basketball

• c + 3

• 3c + c

• c - 3

Pretend the blue section is a pool and we want to tile all of the way around the pool. If the pool measures n x n tiles, which formula shows the total (T) number of tiles needed?

• T = 4n

• T = 4(n + 1)

• T = 5n

• T = 5(n + 1)

Write an expression to represent the following situation.

Susan's age in three years, when a represents her present age.

Mathematical Equivalence

ON

I open a saving account with $200 and plan to put $50 per month in the account.
Which expression represents this situation after x number of months?

• 200 + 50x

• 200x + 50

• 200 + x + 50

• 12x(50 + 200)

Mrs. Guang purchased four airline tickets to Florida. She will also pay a fee of $55 for an extra piece of luggage. Define a variable and write an expression to represent her total cost of flying to Florida.

• l = (pieces of) luggage

• 4l + 55

• 55t + 4

• t = (number of) tickets

• 4t + 55

• 55l + 4