Institut Perguruan Kampus Kent, Tuaran Numerical Literacy

(Simplifying)
Prepared by: Elisha Paul Lawrencia Lajius Noorbalqis binti Muhamad Safian

What is simplifying?
y Simplify means: y To make less complicated, clearer or

easier. y In mathematics,
y To reduce (an equation, fraction etc) to

simpler form b y cancellation of common factors, regrouping of terms in the same variables.

Example of question
1. Ellen has enough ribbon to wrap 12 giftboxes. How

many cuts will she have to make to have 12 ribbons?

Understand y You need to find the number of cuts that Ellen must make to have 12 ribbons. Plan y First solve a simpler problem. How many cuts would be made to have 2 ribbons? To have 3 ribbons? 4ribbons?

Solve
y 2 ribbons would need 1 cut. y 3 ribbons would need 2 cuts. y 4 ribbons would need 3 cuts. y The number of cuts needed is always 1 less than the y number of ribbons needed. y If 12 ribbons are needed, there must be 11 cuts.

Look Back
y How did solving a simpler problem make the problem easier?

-The numbers were smaller and easier to use

Question 2
y Tony's restaurant has 30 small tables to be used for a banquet.

Each table can seat only one person on each side. If the tables are pushed together to make one long table, how many people can sit at the table?
Understand the Problem y How many people can sit at the table if the 30 tables are pushed together? Devise a plan y By simplifying, how many people can be seated for 2 tables? 3 tables? 4 tables?

Act out the plan y Simplifying using a table

No. of tables 2 3 4 : : 30 No. of people 6 8 10 : : 62

Look back y Pattern: 2 times the number of tables plus 2 = 2 x 30 = 60 = 60 + 2 = 62 y 62 people can sit at the table.