Independent practice worksheet for expressing verbal statements as algebraic expressions.

Let’s solve each part step by step.

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Part A: Write an Algebraic Expression for each verbal statement

We translate words into math symbols:

1. x plus 5 → just add 5 to x → x + 5

2. y increased by 9 → same as “plus” → y + 9

3. 7 less than z → this means start with z, then subtract 7 → z - 7
*(Note: “less than” reverses the order — it’s not 7 - z)*

4. b decreased by 4 → subtract 4 from b → b - 4

5. 6 times p → multiplication → 6p (or 6 × p)

6. twice c → twice means 2 times → 2c

7. 10 divided by a → division → 10 ÷ a or 10/a

8. half of q → half means divide by 2 → q/2 or (1/2)q

9. 8 plus twice r → first do “twice r” = 2r, then add 8 → 8 + 2r

10. one third of n decreased by 12 → first take one third of n = n/3, then subtract 12 → n/3 - 12

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Part B: Express verbal statements algebraically

These are word problems — we turn them into expressions using given variables.

1. Jane has $10 and her sister Mary has $x. How many dollars do they have altogether?
→ Add Jane’s money and Mary’s money → 10 + x

2. Ann had 3 apples. Her father gave her 5 more apples. How many apples does she have altogether? Use letter a to represent 1 apple.
→ She starts with 3a, gets 5 more → total = 3a + 5a = 8a
*(Wait — actually, if “a” represents 1 apple, then 3 apples = 3a, 5 apples = 5a, so together 3a + 5a = 8a. But sometimes in these problems, they just want you to write the expression without combining like terms unless asked. However, since it says “use letter a to represent 1 apple”, we should express quantities in terms of a. So yes, 3a + 5a = 8a is correct. Alternatively, if they meant “let a be the number of apples”, but no — it says “use letter a to represent 1 apple”, meaning each apple is ‘a’. So 3 apples = 3a, etc. Final answer: 8a)

But let me double-check: If “a” represents 1 apple, then having 3 apples is 3 × a = 3a. Getting 5 more is adding 5a. Total = 3a + 5a = 8a. ✔

3. Peter has 7 sweets. He gave his friend Paul 2 sweets. How many sweets does he have remaining? Use letter s to represent 1 sweet.
→ Starts with 7s, gives away 2s → left with 7s - 2s = 5s

Again, if “s” represents 1 sweet, then 7 sweets = 7s, minus 2s = 5s. ✔

4. Sarah is m years old today. What was her age 5 years ago?
→ Subtract 5 from current age → m - 5

5. A soda costs $100. What is the cost of y sodas?
→ Each soda is $100, so y sodas cost 100 × y → 100y

*(Note: The problem says “$100” — that seems unusually high for a soda, but we go with what’s written. Maybe it’s a typo, but we follow the text.)*

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Now, compiling all answers clearly:

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Final Answer:

Part A:

1. x + 5
2. y + 9
3. z - 7
4. b - 4
5. 6p
6. 2c
7. 10/a
8. q/2
9. 8 + 2r
10. n/3 - 12

Part B:

1. 10 + x
2. 8a
3. 5s
4. m - 5
5. 100y