Math 60
Review of “Translate” Operational Words (Indicator Words):
Elementary Algebra
*backwards structures (terms are written in the reverse order)
Syntax
Statement
Algebraic Form
SUM
Increased by
More than
Added to
Total
The sum of ___ and ___
____ increased by ____
_____ more than _____
_____ added to _____
The total of ___ & ___
The sum of x and 4
5 increased by x
3 more than x
4 added to x
The total of 4 and 5.
x+4
5+x
3+x
4+x
4+5
DIFFERENCE
Less than*
Less
The difference of __ & __
The difference of x & 5
_____ less than _____
_____ less _____
___ subtracted from ___
___ decreased by ___
12 less than x
6 less x
–8 subtracted from x
x decreased by 9
x–5
x – 12
6–x
x – (–8)
x–9
The product of ___ & ___
____ multiplied by ____
Twice _____
_____ times _____
_____ of _____
The product of 3 & x
x multiplied by 5
Twice x
5 times x
½ of x
75% of x
3x = 3x
x5 = 5x
2x = 2x
5x = 5x
½ x = ½ x
0.75x = 0.75x
The quotient of __ & __
_____ divided by _____
The ratio of ___ & ___
The quotient of 3 & 4
3 divided by x
The ratio of 1 to 4.
34 = ¾
3  x = 3x
14=¼
Word or Phrase
+
–
Subtracted from*
Decreased by

PRODUCT
Multiplied by
Twice
Times
Of
(When used
with % & fracs)

QUOTIENT
Divided by
Ratio
=
IS/ARE
Is the same as
Equal to
Equals
( )2
Squared
Square Root
3
( )
Cube
3
Cube Root
–
Opposite of
?
Absolute Value
Word or Phrase
=
_____ squared
The square root of __
_____ cubed
The cube root of ___
The opposite of ___
5 squared
The square root of 16
4 cubed
The cube root of 8
The opposite of x
The absolute value of ____
The absolute value of –7
( 5 )2
16
(4)3
3
8
–x
7
Syntax
Statement
Algebraic Form
Note: the word AND is used to show the location of the operational sign.