Write mathematical statements from descriptions
As you know, people all around the world speak different languages. You're probably even learning another language at school. Did you know that maths is also a special kind of language that is common around the world. However, instead of writing sentences with words, we write mathematical sentences with numbers and symbols.
Let's start with some common expressions relating to the four operations:
Can you think of any more terms that you can add to the mind map?
Inequality Symbols
There are some other symbols relating to inequalities that are also handy to know:
- $<$< means "is less than" e.g. $2<9$2<9
- $\le$≤ means "is less than or equal to" e.g. $4.5\le5$4.5≤5
- $>$> means "is greater than" e.g. $15>12$15>12
- $\ge$≥ means "is greater than or equal to" e.g. $100\ge62$100≥62
- $\ne$≠ means "is not equal to" e.g. $18\ne10$18≠10
Worked examples
Question 1
Consider the sum of $5$5 and the quotient of $16$16 and $4$4.
Which of the following describes 'the sum of $5$5 and the quotient of $16$16 and $4$4'?
$5+16\div4$5+16÷4
A$\left(5+16\right)\div4$(5+16)÷4
B$5+16\times4$5+16×4
C$5-16\div4$5−16÷4
DEvaluate 'the sum of $5$5 and the quotient of $16$16 and $4$4'.
Question 2
What of the following describes $0.56$0.56 $<$< $\frac{71}{100}$71100?
$0.56$0.56 is greater than $\frac{71}{100}$71100
A$0.56$0.56 is less than $\frac{71}{100}$71100
B$\frac{71}{100}$71100 is less than $0.56$0.56
C$0.56$0.56 is equal to $\frac{71}{100}$71100
D
Question 3
Question 4