How To Read Mathematical Expressions

Basics a baplus b a baminus b a bab a times b a b a b a over b a divided by b 1 2 1 3 1.

How to read mathematical expressions.

This is a guide on how to pronounce mathematical symbols and names but not on how to read expressions. In order to write algebraic expressions it helps to know the key words and their algebraic definition learning these key terms helps one to write and read an algebraic expression that includes a variable. Kromarek mathematics pronunciation guide. Some groups of letters are underlined in order to draw one s at tention to their pronunciation.

A short list divided by topic e g. We ll go through these one by one. The expression 9 8 represents a single number 17 this expression is a numerical expression also called an arithmetic expression the expression 9 x represents a value that can change if x is 2 then the expression 9 x has a value of 11 if x is 6 then the expression has a value of 15. A mathematical concept is independent of the symbol chosen to represent it.

You can see all five of them in the expression below. Common pronunciations in british english gimson 1981 of mathematical and scientific symbols are given in the list below. Algebraic notation includes five main components. Mathematical and scientific symbols.

While it might look tricky at first algebraic notation isn t that complicated. For many of the symbols below the symbol is usually synonymous with its corresponding concept but in some situations a different convention may be used. Variables coefficients operators exponents and parentheses. So 9 x is an algebraic expression in the next few examples we will be working solely with.

Logic sets functions etc. The way you write algebra expressions is called algebraic notation. Math students are often asked to give their answer in the simplest terms in other words to write answers as small as possible. Arial unicode ms doulos sil unicode lucida sans unicode see.

The following is a list of mathematical symbols used in all branches of mathematics to express a formula or to represent a constant. Reading mathematical expressions a. Valiaho pronunciation of mathematical expressions pdf. Algebra is a language that uses letters symbols and numbers to express relationships.

The sum of twice a number and six as you know the first operation in the sentence the sum is the last one to be performed. Though a long ungainly expression and a short elegant one may technically equal the same thing often a math problem isn t considered done until the answer has been reduced to simplest terms. You have to stick to the order of operations. Let s write an algebraic expression described with a sentence.

Built the expression from specific to general.