SOLVING BASIC ALGEBRAIC WORD PROBLEMS

PS Algebra I

THE PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS… 1. Read the word problem and understand exactly

what is being asked (What exactly is being solved for?)

2. Using both Algebra and the information given in the problem, construct something that is solvable related to the problem (you must THINK with this step!)

- use Let Statements to help you represent any unknowns with variables

3. Solve what you put together in step #2

THE PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS… 4. Check for both accuracy (correct

Algebra/math) and reasonability (Does the answer make sense within the context of the problem?)

5. ANSWER THE QUESTION BEING ASKED!

LET’S DO SOME… A number increased by 5 is equal to 20. Find the

number.

The product of 8 and a number decreased by 1 is 25. Find the number.

The quotient of three times a number and -6 is 18. Find the number.

12 times the sum of a number and 3 is equal to 12. Find the number.

LET’S DO SOME… Six times the difference of 3 and a number

is equal to four times the sum of 8 and twice the same number. Find the number.

If the quotient of a number squared and 13 is increased by 10, the result is equal to 5 times the square of the same number. Find the number. Round your answer to the nearest whole number.

LET’S DO SOME… The length of a farmer’s field is 125

yards. This is 34 yards longer than twice the width of the same field. Find the width.

Mr. Salen’s grandfather is 80 years old. His age is 34 years less than 3 times the age of Mr. Salen. How old is Mr. Salen?

LET’S DO SOME… The weight of a small boulder is 375

pounds. This is 30 lbs. more than one-half the weight of a large boulder. How heavy is the large boulder?