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# 1.6: Patterns and Expressions

Difficulty Level: Basic Created by: CK-12
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Jeremy read that degrees Celsius converted to degrees Fahrenheit is "the sum of 32 and $\frac{9}{5}$ times the temperature in degrees Celsius." However, he's not sure how to convert this into an algebraic expression. What do you think an equivalent algebraic expression would be? This Concept will teach you how to translate such an English phrase into algebra so that you can help Jeremy out.

### Guidance

In mathematics, especially in algebra, we look for patterns in the numbers that we see. Using mathematical verbs and variables, expressions can be written to describe a pattern. An algebraic expression is a mathematical phrase combining numbers and/or variables using mathematical operations. We can describe patterns using phrases as well, and we want to be able to translate these phrases into algebraic expressions.

Solution:

We can use $x$ to represent the number of shirts. For the cost, we have a fixed $100 charge and then$7 times the number of shirts printed. This can be expressed as $100+7x$ . For the revenue, we have $15 times the number of shirts sold, or $15x$ . ### Practice Sample explanations for some of the practice exercises below are available by viewing the following video. Note that there is not always a match between the number of the practice exercise in the video and the number of the practice exercise listed in the following exercise set. However, the practice exercise is the same in both. CK-12 Basic Algebra: Patterns and Equations (13:18) For exercises 1 – 15, translate the English phrase into an algebraic expression. For the exercises without a stated variable, choose a letter to represent the unknown quantity. 1. Sixteen more than a number 2. The quotient of $h$ and 8 3. Forty-two less than $y$ 4. The product of $k$ and three 5. The sum of $g$ and $-7$ 6. $r$ minus 5.8 7. 6 more than 5 times a number 8. 6 divided by a number minus 12 9. A number divided by $-11$ 10. 27 less than a number times four 11. The quotient of 9.6 and $m$ 12. 2 less than 10 times a number 13. The quotient of $d$ and five times $s$ 14. 35 less than $x$ 15. The product of 6, $-9$ , and $u$ In exercises 16 – 24, write an English phrase for each algebraic expression 1. $J - 9$ 2. $\frac{n}{14}$ 3. $17-a$ 4. $3l-16$ 5. $\frac{1}{2} (h)(b)$ 6. $\frac{b}{3} + \frac{z}{2}$ 7. $4.7-2f$ 8. $5.8 + k$ 9. $2l+2w$ In exercises 25 – 28, define a variable to represent the unknown quantity and write an expression to describe the situation. 1. The unit cost represents the quotient of the total cost and number of items purchased. Write an expression to represent the unit cost of the following: The total cost is$14.50 for $n$ objects.
2. The area of a square is the side length squared.
3. The total length of ribbon needed to make dance outfits is 15 times the number of outfits.
4. What is the remaining amount of chocolate squares if you started with 16 and have eaten some?

Use your sense of variables and operations to answer the following questions.

1. Describe a real-world situation that can be represented by $h + 9$ .
2. What is the difference between $\frac{7}{m}$ and $\frac{m}{7}$ ?

Basic

8 , 9

Feb 24, 2012

Aug 21, 2014