1.1  Introduction To Algebra        Homework: Odds 1-55

Nancy J. McCormick's Home Page DSPM 0800 Class Notes


·Variable- a letter that represents a variety of different numbers
·Constant- a consistent value
·Algebraic expression- an expression consisting of variables, and/or numerals and often with operation signs and grouping symbols            *Notice: an expression does NOT contain an =
·Evaluating an expression- replacing the variable with a value and performing the computations

Example: Evaluate


Example: Evaluate


Graphing Calculator Exercise: Evaluate


Translate phrases to algebraic expressions:

Phrase:                                                                         Algebraic Expression:
19 less than some number                                            
a number is increased by 13                                         
the quotient of two numbers                                         
twice a number                                                            
5% of a number                                                           
4/5 of a number                                                           
*Notice: “of” translates to multiplication in “% of” or “a fraction of”
8 less than 5 times a number                                         
8 is less than 5 times a number                                     
*Notice: “less than” translates as subtraction, but “is less than” translates as an inequality symbol

·Equation- a number sentence with the verb =
 *Notice: An expression does NOT have = 
               An equation has =

Equations can be true, false, or neither.
Examples:
 (TRUE)
 (FALSE)
 (NEITHER, depends on the value of x)
 (TRUE for all values of x)
 (FALSE for any value of x)

*Notice: Equations can be solved.
To solve means to find the replacement value for x that makes the equation true (called a solution).

Example: Determine whether 13 is a solution of .

We have determined that 13 is NOT a solution of the given equation.

Translate sentences to equations:
*Notice: “is” usually translates as =

Examples:
Seven times some number is 4521.                   
3% of some number is 13.                               
4 less than some number is 51.                         
The product of two numbers is 136.                 

*Notice: You do NOT have to solve the equations, just translate.

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