Writing Expressions

## Writing Expressions

There are some passengers on a bus. The number of passengers is not known. Call the number of passengers on the bus n, which is short for number of passengers.

At the next stop, 5 more passengers get on the bus. There are now n + 5 passengers on the bus: the original n passengers, plus 5 more.

This is an algebraic expression, which consists of numbers and letters describing a situation. The letter n is known as a variable, which is the value of a number where the number is not known.

The bus continues to the next stop. There are n more passengers waiting at the stop. As the same letter is being used, then the number of people waiting in the queue is the same as the number of passengers that were originally on the bus. The waiting passengers get on.

There are now n + n + 5 passengers on the bus. There are two lots of n, plus the additional 5 passengers, on the bus.

The expression for the number of people on the bus is 2n + 5, which is two lots of n plus five.

## Example 1

There are n biscuits in a packet. I put two packets of biscuits in a tin. Write an expression for the number of biscuits in the tin.

Two packets, each with n biscuits.

Two lots of n is written without the times sign to avoid confusion between the times sign and the letter x.

Answer: 2n

## Example 2

There are s sweets in each bag of sweets. I pour three bags of these sweets into a jar, then I take 5 sweets out. Write an expression for the number of sweets now in the jar.

Three lots of s, from the three packets; then subtract 5.

Answer: 3s - 5