Helpful Math Clue Words
Solving word problems is tough if you don't know these important math clue words. Mathematics is a language: you have to be able to translate words into equations and expressions.
| Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, but the keywords listed in the tables below almost always translate to the given symbol. All the “math clue words” are separated by a black dot ●. |
|
| Words that Translate to Arithmetic Symbols |
+ |
● added to ● increased by ● more than ● |
- |
● subtracted by ● decreased by ● less than ● |
x |
● multiplied by ● |
÷ |
● divided by ● |
| Equality and Inequalities |
= |
● equal to ● the same amount as ● costs ● is the same as ● |
< |
● less than ● fewer than ● |
≤ |
● less than or equal to ● no more than ● |
> |
● greater than ● more than ● |
≥ |
● greater than or equal to ● no less than ● |
| Writing Equations in Slope-Intercept Form |
Slope-intercept form is given as y = mx +b, where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept. The slope is multiplied by the variable – we sometimes say that we “attach” that number to the variable.
m |
● rate of change ● per ● each ● for every ●
● look for a value that happens often – like monthly payment ● |
b |
● look for a value that happens only once – like a membership fee |
More free help in pre-algebra and algebra.
Return to the GRADE-A homepage.
|
