Chapter SR10, Problem 5P

Solution

To write the phrase “One fifth of a number” as an algebraic expression.

  $\frac{x}{5}$

Given:

The phrase “One fifth of a number”.

Concept Used:

• The term more indicates the addition operation.
• The term less/reduced is used for subtraction.
• The term times indicates the product.
• The term quotient represents the division.

Calculation:

Let the number be x .

In order to write the algebraic expression for the given phrase, note that the number x is divided into one fifth. So, the algebraic expression for the given phrase is given by $\frac{1}{5}\cdot x\text{ or }\frac{x}{5}$ .

Thus, the algebraic expression for the given phrase is $\frac{x}{5}$ .