Definition
Sunday, June 01, 2008
10:18 AM
Steps for solving word problems:
1. Identify the variable (What is the quantity are we trying to find).
2. Express all unknown quantities in terms of one variable.
3. Set-up the equation.
4. Solve the equation and check your answer.
Example:
Find the consecutive integers whose sum is 147.
1st step- Identify the variable
x = first integer
2nd step- Express all unknown quantities in terms of the one variable.
x + 1 = second integer
x +2 = third integer
3rd step- Set-up the equation
x + (x + 1) + (x + 2 ) = 147
4th step- Solve
x + (x + 1) + (x + 2 ) = 147
3x + 3 = 147
3x = 144
3x 144
=
3
3
x = 48
x + 1 = 49
x + 2 = 50
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Check: 48 + 49+ 50 = 147
147 = 147
Examples 1, 2 and 3
Sunday, June 01, 2008
10:23 AM
1. Find three consecutive even integers whose sum is 222.
2. The length of a rectangular garden is 20 feet more than the width. The
perimeter is 140 feet. What are the dimensions of the garden?
3. Heather has $2.40 in quarters and nickels. She has a total of 24 coins.
How many nickels does she have?
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Sunday, June 01, 2008
10:34 AM
Example 4, 5 and 6
4. A coin purse contains an equal number of nickels, dimes and quarters.
If the total amount in the coin purse is $1.60. How many of each coin is
in the coin purse?
5. The length of the rectangle is 7 feet more than twice the width. The
area of the rectangle is 30 sq. ft. What are the dimensions of the
rectangle?
6. Area of a triangle is 18 sq. ft. The base is 5 ft. more than the height. Find
the length of the base and the height of the triangle?
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