Translating verbal expressions into equations

Basic arithmetic operations

Addition

Sum - outcome of adding two or more numbers

summand + summand =sum
addend + addend = sum

Example: Calculate the sum of 12 and 3.
Answer: 12+3=15

Subtraction

Difference - outcome of subtracting two numbers

minuend – subtrahend = difference

Example: Calculate the difference of 12 and 3.
Answer: 12−3=9

The parts you subtract or add are also called terms.

Multiplication

Product - outcome of multiplying two or more numbers.

factor × factor = product

Example: Calculate the product of 12 and 3.
Answer: 12 × 3 = 36

Division

Quotient - outcome of division of two numbers

dividend ÷ divisor = quotient

Example: Calculate the quotient of 12 and 3.
Answer: 12 ÷ 3 = 4