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Grade 6 · Maths · Lessons
A letter stands for a number
🔤letter🔢number✖️7y➕p + 5
A letter for a number.
The big ideaA letter holds the place of a number, so the same steps work for any number.

How it works

A letter holds the place of a number, so the same steps work for any number.

7 times y is written 7y. y divided by 10 is y ÷ 10. 5 more than p is p + 5.

Put in a number for the letter to check.

In words• 7 times y• y divided by 10• 5 more than pIn symbols• 7y• y ÷ 10• p + 5
Words to letters.

Example 1: Times

  1. 7 times y.
  2. Write the number first and leave out the times sign.
  3. It is 7y.

Example 2: A story

  1. Ben has p pencils. He gets 5 more.
  2. More means add.
  3. Ben has p + 5 pencils.

Example 3: Divide

  1. y divided by 10.
  2. Write it with the divide sign.
  3. It is y ÷ 10.

Words to know

variable
A letter that stands for a number.
expression
Numbers, letters and signs that make a calculation.

Watch out

Try it

  1. Write '3 more than n' using symbols.
  2. Write '4 times k'.
  3. If p = 5, what is p + 5?
  4. Write 'j divided by 2'.
Answers: 1. n + 3 · 2. 4k · 3. 10 · 4. j ÷ 2
For grown-upsSay 'I have some apples, and get 3 more' and write it as a + 3.
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