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Writing and Evaluating Expressions with Addition and Subtraction

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Learning text on the topic Writing and Evaluating Expressions with Addition and Subtraction

Writing and Evaluating Expressions with Addition and Subtraction

In everyday life, we often need to determine amounts, solve problems, or make decisions based on mathematical calculations. Writing and evaluating expressions with addition and subtraction are fundamental skills in arithmetic that allow us to convert real-world situations into mathematical terms and then solve them.

Writing expressions involves creating algebraic statements that encapsulate real-world scenarios using symbols and numbers. Evaluating expressions means calculating the numerical value of these algebraic expressions, primarily through operations like addition and subtraction.

Writing and Evaluating Expressions – Explanation

Similar to writing numerical expressions, writing and evaluating expressions with addition and subtraction is crucial for problem-solving in various contexts, including budgeting, planning events, and academic scenarios.

Step Example
Step 1: Identify the Problem 21561_WritingAndEvaluatingExpressions-01.svg
Step 2: Define the Variables 21561_WritingAndEvaluatingExpressions-02.svg
Step 3: Write the Expression and Step 4: Substitute Known Values 21561_WritingAndEvaluatingExpressions-03.svg
Step 5: Evaluate the Expression 21561_WritingAndEvaluatingExpressions-04.svg
Step 6: Verify the Solution 21561_WritingAndEvaluatingExpressions-05.svg

Writing and Evaluating Expressions – Example

This section will show you how to turn real-life situations into maths problems and find the answers. Here's a table of keywords that can help you figure out which maths operation to use:

Operation Keywords
Addition plus, add, total, sum, increase, together
Subtraction minus, subtract, less, decrease, fewer, remove

By recognising these keywords, you can write and solve maths expressions more easily! Let's explore some examples to practise.

Example 1: You are organising a community clean-up and need to plan the volunteer hours. You estimate that the clean-up will take a total of $120$ hours, but several volunteers have already signed up for some of the hours.

Write an expression to determine how many more volunteer hours are needed.
If volunteers have already signed up for $78$ hours, evaluate the expression to find out how many more hours are needed.

Example 2: In a board game, you start with 0 points and earn points each round. If in the first round, you earn 15 points and in the second round you earn double the first round, how many total points do you have after two rounds?

Write an expression for the total points after two rounds.
Evaluate this expression to find out the total points earned.

Writing and Evaluating Expressions – Practice

Practice writing and evaluating expressions on your own!

Writing and Evaluating Expressions – Summary

Understanding how to write and evaluate expressions with addition and subtraction is essential for solving real-world problems efficiently. This skill forms the foundation of algebra and helps students and adults alike make informed decisions based on numerical data.

Key Learnings from this Text:

  • Writing and evaluating expressions with addition and subtraction helps solve real-world problems by turning situations into mathematical terms.
  • The process includes identifying quantities and their relationships, creating expressions, and calculating solutions.
  • Recognising keywords like "plus" and "minus" aids in correctly setting up and solving mathematical problems.

Writing and Evaluating Expressions – Frequently Asked Questions

What is an expression in mathematics?
Why is it important to write expressions?
What does evaluating an expression involve?
Can you give an example of how subtraction is used in writing expressions?
How does understanding these concepts help in daily life?
Are there tools or strategies to help with writing and evaluating expressions?
What's the difference between an algebraic and an arithmetic expression?
Can errors occur when evaluating expressions?
Is it important to teach these skills at an early age?
What are some common mistakes to avoid in writing expressions?
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