1F.+More+Word+Problems

Chapter 1: Word Problems

For more help on: // Translating word problems..http://www.purplemath.com/modules/translat.htm//// Coin word problems..http://www.purplemath.com/modules/coinprob.htm//

What to do: a. Define a unknown variable to use. The variable must be defined as one of the requested items. Make sure the definition is specific. b. Write the appropriate equations using the variable you defined c. Solve for the indicated value(s) d. Check your solutions against the original problem statement e. Write each solution using a descriptive sentence. be sure to give everything that is requested

**Example One:** Coin problem- You have pennies, nickels, and dimes in your pocket. You have three times as many pennies as you do nickels and twice as many dimes as nickels. You have a total of 56 cents. How many of each coin do you have?

p= pennies = 3n n= nickels = n d=dimes = 2n = 56 cents all together

Create a chart: Solve: .28n/.28= .56/.28 n= 2
 * || Quantity || Value || Total ||
 * Pennies || 3n || .01 || .03n ||
 * Nickels || n || .05 || .05n ||
 * Dimes || 2n || .10 || .2n ||
 * Equation: .03n+.05n+.2n=.56

Now check by plugging in N as 2 and seeing of they add up to .56 3(2)= 6 pennies 6(.01)= .6 2 = 2 nickels 2(.05)= .10 2(2)= 4 dimes 4(.10)= .40 = .56 all together

Write Sentence: You have 6 pennies, 2 nickels, and 4 dimes that are equal to 56 cents in total

**Example Two:** Age Problem- Christopher is now four times as old as his brother Matthew. Christopher's age four years from now will be twice Matthew's age four years from now. What is the present age of each boy?

Define: m: Matthew's age 4m: Christopher's age 4m+4: Chris in 4 years m+4: Matt in 4 years

Set up and solve equation: Chris in 4 years =2x(Matt in 4 years) 4m+4=2(m+4) 4m+4=2m+8 2m=4 m=2 Chris = 8

Check your answer: In 4 years: Chris =12 Matt =6 Chris =2x Matt

Write Sentence: Christopher is 8 years old and Matthew is 2 years old || **Try One! (scroll down for answer)** Ted is one-third his Mother's age. Ted's age in 10 years will be half his Mother's age 10 years. How old are Ted and his mother today? . .. ... ..... ...... ....... ........ ......... ........ ...... ..... .... ... .. . Ted is 10 and his Mom is 30. 

Define Variable: M= Mom's age now 1/3m = Ted now 1/3m+10 = Ted in 10 years m+10= Mom in 10 years 1/2 Mom in 10 = Ted in 10

Set up and Solve Equation: 1/2m+10 = 1/3m+10 (1/2m+5= 1/3m+10)6 3m+30=2m+60 m=30

Check: Now Mom is 30; Ted is 10 10 years: Mom is 40; Ted is 20