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Word Problems
Word Problems
Word Problems
Solution
x/y=5/1
x + y = 18
6y = 18
y=3
x = 5y = 5 × 3 = 15
As you can see, 15/3 = 5, so ratio is correct and 3 + 15 = 18, so the sum is correct.
2. Peter has six times as many dimes as quarters in her piggy bank. She has 21 coins in her piggy bank
totaling $2.55
Solution
Since one quarter equals 25 cents, x quarters equals x × 25 cents or 25x cents
Since one dime equals 10 cents, 6x dimes equals 6x × 10 cents or 60x cents
Since one 1 dollar equals 100 cents, 2.55 dollars equals 2.55 × 100 = 255 cents
x=3
6x = 6 × 3 = 18
Solution
x2 + 4x -12 = ( x + -2) × ( x + 6)
Example #9: A must know how when solving algebra word problems
The area of a rectangle is 24 cm2. The width is two less than the length. What is the length and width of
the rectangle?
Solution
x × ( x - 2) = 24
x2 + -2x = 24
x2 + -2x - 24 = 0
(x + 4) × ( x + -6) = 0
x + 4 = 0 and x + -6 = 0
x + -6 = 0 gives x = 6
The area of a rectangle is 24 cm2. The width is two less than the length. What is the length and width of
the rectangle?
Solution
x × ( x - 2) = 24
x2 + -2x = 24
x2 + -2x - 24 = 0
(x + 4) × ( x + -6) = 0
x + 4 = 0 and x + -6 = 0
negative
x + -6 = 0 gives x = 6
Therefore, length = 6 and width = x - 2 = 6 - 2 = 4
5. The sum of two numbers is 16. The difference is 4. What are the two numbers?
Let x be the first number. Let y be the second number
x + y = 16
x-y=4
Solution
x + y = 16
x-y=4
x + x + y + -y = 16 + 4
2x = 20
x = 10
Since x + y = 16, 10 + y = 16
10 + y = 16
10 - 10 + y = 16 - 10
y=6