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

1 Answer
May 11, 2017

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#."