Reviewed by Franz Jerby Delos Santos
What does 'of' mean in algebra?
Answer: In algebra, 'of' means multiplication.
In algebra, the word 'of' is a key term that signals multiplication. You will often see it in percentage problems, fraction calculations, and word problems. Understanding this simple translation helps you set up and solve equations correctly.
Methods
Math Tutor Explanation Using the Direct Translation Method
Translating 'of' to multiplication makes word problems easy to solve.
Step 1: Identify the word 'of' in the problem, such as '1/2 of 10'.
Step 2: Replace 'of' with multiplication: 1/2 × 10 = 5.
Math Tutor Explanation Using the Percentage Application Method
Percentages commonly use 'of' to indicate which number to multiply.
Step 1: In '25% of 80', recognize that 'of' means multiply.
Step 2: Convert 25% to 0.25 and multiply: 0.25 × 80 = 20.
Step 1:
Step 2:
Math Tutor suggests: Practice Translating Math Language
Try these problems to practice recognizing mathematical keywords.
FAQ on Math Keywords
What does 'of' mean in math?
In math, 'of' typically means multiplication, especially with fractions and percentages.
What does 'per' mean in math?
Per' usually means division or 'for each', as in miles per hour.
What does 'is' mean in algebra?
Is' translates to the equals sign (=) in algebraic expressions.
How do you solve 'half of 24'?
Replace 'half of' with 1/2 × 24, which equals 12.
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