SOLVING WORD PROBLEMS
There are 5 steps to solving algebraic word problems:
1. Let statements in terms of your chosen variable.
2. Chart / table / diagram (I suggest that you do this step 1st in order to organize all of the given information, however step 1 must appear 1st in your written work)
3. Create an equation & solve it
4. Verify: check LS = RS
5. Final sentence
Example:
Problem:
The length of a rectangular field is 10 m less than twice its width. The perimeter of the field is 100m. What is the length of this field?
Solution:
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1. Let statements:
Let w represent the rectangle's width.
Let (2w - 10) represent the rectangle's length.
* The length of the field is 10 m less than twice its width
- 10 2 x w
= 2w - 10
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2. Diagram:
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3. Equation:
* The perimeter of the field is 100m
Perimeter = Add all sides
110 = w + (2w - 10) + w + (2w - 10)
110 = w + 2w + w + 2w - 10 - 10
110 = 6w - 20
+20 + 20
120 = 6w
120 / 6 = 6w / 6
20 = w
w = 20 m
Length = 2w - 10
= 2(20) - 10
= 40 - 10
= 30 m
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4. Verify:
LS = Perimeter RS = Add all sides
= 100 = 20 + 30 + 20 + 30
= 100
LS = RS
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5. Sentence:
* What is the length of this field?
The length of the field is 30 m.
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