Chapter 1: Algebraic Notation

Problem Set No. 1

I. Translate the following phrases into algebraic expressions:
  1. The sum of x, y, and z.
  2. The product of a and b, divided by the sum of c and d.
  3. Three times the square of x minus five.
  4. The square root of the quantity m plus n.
  5. A number n increased by seven, then multiplied by two.
II. Evaluate the following if a = 2, b = 3, and c = 5:
  1. 3a + 2b
  2. c² − (a + b)
  3. (10a) / c
  4. ab + bc + ac
  5. (ca
III. Word Problems:
  1. If a man is x years old now, how old was he 5 years ago?
  2. A rectangle has a length of l and a width of w. Write an expression for its perimeter.

Answer Key

Chapter 1: Algebraic Notation

I. Expressions:
  1. x + y + z
  2. ab / (c + d)
  3. 3x² − 5
  4. √(m + n)
  5. 2(n + 7)
II. Evaluations:
  1. 3(2) + 2(3) = 6 + 6 = 12
  2. 5² − (2 + 3) = 25 − 5 = 20
  3. 20 / 5 = 4
  4. 6 + 15 + 10 = 31
  5. (5 − 2)² = 3² = 9
III. Word Problems:
  1. x − 5
  2. 2l + 2w (or 2(l + w))