Variable Expressions Worksheets
What are Variable Expressions? Mathematics is full of different forms of expressions and concepts. One of the most common expressions in mathematics is a variable expression which is widely used in mathematics to solve problems. Do you want to know what a variable expression is? First, understand what a variable is? A variable is an alphabetical letter used in a mathematical expression or equation to represent a number. Now, do not let the fact that it's a number confuse you. Since it is used to express a number, you treat it like a number while solving the expression. To be more precise about a variable, it is a symbol that hides in itself an unknown value. You can use any symbol as a variable, but most commonly, you will find these letters being used as variables, a, b, c, d and x. An example of a variable expression is 1000x. Here x is a variable that represents an unknown value being multiplied with 1000 and can only be found out when you substitute x with a value.
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Basic Lesson
Demonstrates how to take an algebraic sentence and rewrite it as an equation. Practice problems are provided. Write an algebraic expression for the difference of x and 7. The word difference means subtract. The algebraic expression would be x - 7 This is an algebraic expression because it contains at least one number (7), at least one variable (x), and at least one arithmetic operation (subtraction).
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Intermediate Lesson
Explains how to translate an algebraic word problem into an equation. Practice problems are provided. Translate the word problem into an equation. My age in years y plus 20 is equal to four times my age, minus 10. The first expression stands for "my age in years plus 20", which is y + 20. This is equal to the second expression for "four times my age, minus 10", which is 4 × y - 10. Setting these two expressions equal to one another gives us the equation: y + 20 = 4 × y - 10
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Independent Practice 1
Write each sentence as an equation. The answers can be found below.
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Homework Worksheet
12 Variable Expressions problems for students to work on at home. Example problems are provided and explained.
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Thoughts of Albert Einstein
For those who are having trouble with algebra, take heart: "Do not worry too much about your difficulties in mathematics, I can assure you that mine are still greater."