Word Problems

Steps for solving word problems

1. Read the entire problem (twice!)

2. Identify the question

3. Circle/underline the important information

4. Define your variables

5. Write and solve an equation

6. Answer the question in words

Translating English into Math

• Eight less than a three times number is five more than twice the number. What is the number?

• Jack paid $8.25 for a bag of apples that cost $0.75 per apple. How many apples did he buy?

• Always refer back to your key words page to help you write your equation!!

Example 1: The length of a rectangle is 6 in. more than its width. The perimeter of the rectangle is 24 in. What is the length of the rectangle?

Example 2: The sum of three consecutive integers is 147. Find the integers.

Example 3: A train leaves a train station at 1 p.m. It travels at an average rate of 60 mi/h. A high-speed train leaves the same station an hour later. It travels at an average rate of 96 mi/h. The second train follows the same route as the first train on a track parallel to the first. In how many hours will the second train catch up with the first train?

Example 5: Jane and Peter leave their home traveling in opposite directions on a straight road. Peter drives 15 mi/h faster than Jane. After 3 hours, they are 225 miles apart. Find Peter's rate and Jane's rate.

Homework

▪ Pg 107-109 #3, 9, 11, 12, 15, 20, 25