Saturday, May 7, 2011

Algebra: How to Translate verbal Statements into symbols

An equation is an important tool in problem solving but another tool which is just as necessary is representing related quantities by means of symbols. It must be recalled thatb letter like x can be used to represent the numerical value of a certain quantity. quantities related to the latter may also be expressed in terms of x . For example , if x represents the first of two consecutive integers, then the next consecutive integer( which is greater by 1) will be represented by x+1.

 There are certain rules which must be followed in representing quantities. generally, it is sufficient to use x or any chosen symbol to represent the smaller of two quantities or the smallest of three or more quantities. another way is by representing the independent quantity by x. suppose , for example, that Pedro is twice as old as Juan. this condition shows that the age of Pedro depends upon the age of Juan and hence it is better to let x represent the age in years of Juan. Pedro's age in years will re represented by 2x



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