Question

How do you write a verbal expression for the algebraic expression: `p^4 +6q`?

Answer 1

The sum of `p` raised to the fourth power and `6` times `q`.

Explanation:

A verbal expression of a mathematical expression consists of words rather than symbols to represent the various operations described.

For example, we say "the sum of `a` and `b`" when we are provided with `a + b` or "the product of `a` and `b`" when we see `ab`.

We leave the operands like the numbers and symbols intact, not the operators like `+`, `-`, `\times`, etc. We proceed step-by-step and work on explaining one operator at a time.

For this question, we do the following:
1. `p^4+6q` is "the sum of `p^4` and `6q`".
2. `p^4` is "`p` raised to the fourth power".
3. `6q` is "`6` times `q`" or "`6` multiplied by `q`".

After we have expanded all the operators, we can combine them to obtain the final expression:

"The sum of `p` raised to the fourth power and `6` times `q`."