Which of the following algebraic expressions match the verbal expression “the product of five and a number”?

Select all that apply.
b/5

5b
b · 5
5 + b
b - 5
5/b

1 answer

The verbal expression “the product of five and a number” translates to multiplying five by a variable, typically represented as \( b \) or another variable. This means we are looking for expressions that involve multiplication of five and that variable.

The expressions that match this verbal expression are:

  • \( 5b \) (which is the same as multiplying five by the variable \( b \))
  • \( b \cdot 5 \) (which also represents the product of five and \( b \))

The other options do not represent the product of five and a number:

  • \( \frac{b}{5} \) (division)
  • \( 5 + b \) (addition)
  • \( b - 5 \) (subtraction)
  • \( \frac{5}{b} \) (division)

So, the correct selections are:

  • \( 5b \)
  • \( b \cdot 5 \)