If its half of a number

Question

The problem is half of any number (algebraic expression) 

Answer 1

The key to word (story) problems is to correctly translate the words and phrases of the problem into concise, precise math expressions that use variables and operations.  One method of doing this is to build a "translation table" like you would use as a Spanish-English or a French-English or an English-to-Spanish dictionary.  Start small, then add to it whenever you find a new word or phrase:

   is                        means                 =

   of                                                 multiply

  more than                                       +

  sum                                                +

 product                                             *

quotient                                             /

...

 

Now, "half of" means "one-half of" which means (1/2 times).   [note: that is also the same as dividing by 2]

 

"Any number" means to choose a variable.  Often, in algebra, the first variable that we choose is x, then y.  Sometimes it helps to use mnemonic variable names like B for Bob's age and T for time and D for diameter.  There are also special constants, like ∏ for Pi, which is estimated by using 22/7 or 3.14.  There are lots and lots of these.  In fact, you may invent your own.

 

This problem asks for " half of any number,"    that expression is:

                               (1/2)  *        x   

 

In algebra, we write that as (1/2)x or as x/2.  [Also note: parenthesis are used when there might be confusion about the order of operations (you will learn about Please-Excuse-My-Dear-Aunt-Sally, or P-E-M-D-A-S, soon enough.]

Answer 2

Hi Taneil, 

The algebraic expression for half of any number is: x/2 because x represents any number while dividing by two gives you half.

Best,

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