Translating Problems into Equations Chapter 1 Section 1.7

Objective Students will translate simple word problems into equations

Concept A word problem describes a situation in which certain numbers are related to each other. Some of these numbers are given in the problem and are considered to be known numbers. Other numbers are at first unknown. You must determine their values by using the facts of the problem.

Concept Simple word problems often give two facts involving two unknowns. The following steps can be used to translate such problems into equations. You do not have to solve the problem

Concept Remember that how many things/people are discussed in the word problem, that is how many variables you need in your equation

Concept Steps to writing equations Read the problem carefully Choose a variable to represent the unknowns Reread the problem and write an equation

Example Translate the problem into an equation Marta has twice as much money as Heidi Together they have $36 How much money does each have?

Example Translate the problem into an equation A wooden rod 60 in. long is sawed into two pieces One piece is 4 in. longer than the other What are the lengths of the pieces?

Example Translate the problem into an equation There are 22 students in a classroom There are 12 more girls than boys Find the number of boys in the classroom

Example Translate the problem into an equation The perimeter of a rectangle is 36 cm. The length is twice as long as the width. Find the width of the rectangle.

Question

Assignment Worksheet