1. WORD PROBLEMS STEPS 1.) Thinking/Analyzing:
Write down what you are being asked to find or solve for; the question is a clue.
If stuck, make a list of what you do know.
Drawing a picture often helps clarify.
2.) Define the variable.
3.) Write the equation.
4.) Solve the equation.
5.) Check your work by substituting the solution for the variable back in the equation.
6.) Answer the question(s) asked with a sentence.
x = # of shirts
c = cost of a sweater

2. Example # 1 – Plumbing – Practice Workshhet
A1 Plumbing Service charges $35 per hour plus a $25 travel charge for a service call. Good Guys Plumbing Repair charges $40 per hour for a service call with no travel charge. How long must a service call be for the two companies to charge the same amount?
A service call must be 5 hours for the companies to charge the same amount.

3. Let h represent hours, and write expressions for the number of hours.
35 per hour
plus
a travel charge of 25
the same as
40 per hour
no travel charge
When is ?
35h = h
35h + 25 = 40h
A service call must be 5 hours for the companies to charge the same amount.

4. Example # 2
A landscaping company charges $100 plus $15 per hour. Another landscaping company charges $75 plus $17 per hour. How long is a job that costs the same no matter which company is used?
A job that costs the same no matter which company is used is 12.5 hours.

5. The cost is the same after 10 months.
Example # 2 – Exercise – Practice Worksheet
Mike’s Fitness Center charges $30 per month for a membership. All-Day Fitness Club charges $22 per month plus an $80 initiation fee for a membership. After how many months will the total amount paid to the two fitness clubs be the same?
Define the variable, write an equation, solve, and answer the Q in a sentence.
The cost is the same after 10 months.

6. The charge is the same for both companies for 12 pounds.
Example # 3 – Shipping – Practice worksheet
The Lone Star Shipping Company charges $14 plus $2 a pound to ship an overnight package. Discount Shipping Company charges $20 plus $1.50 a pound to ship an overnight package. For what weight is the charge the same for the 2 companies?
Define the variable, write an equation, solve, and answer the Q in a sentence.
The charge is the same for both companies for 12 pounds.

7. The girls have the same amount of money after 8 games.
Example # 4 MONEY – Practice worksheet
Deanna and Lisa are playing games at the arcade. Deanna started with $15, and the machine she is playing costs $0.75 per game. Lisa started with $13, and her machine costs $0.50 per game. After how many games will the two girls have the same amount of money?
Define the variable, write an equation, solve, and answer the Q in a sentence.
The girls have the same amount of money after 8 games.

8. The charge is the same for a 20 minute call.
# 5 MONEY – Practice worksheet
The Wayside Hotel charges its guests $1 plus $0.80 per minute for long distance calls. Across the street, the Blue Sky Hotel charges its guests $2 plus $0.75 per minute for long distance calls. Find the length of a call for which the two hotels charge the same amount.
Define the variable, write an equation, solve, and answer the Q in a sentence.
The charge is the same for a 20 minute call.

9. Duke and Kilo will have the same number of credits after 3 semesters.
Example # 6 – Pratice worksheet
Duke is a part-time student at Horizon Community College. He currently has 22 credits, and he plans to take 6 credits per semester until he is finished. Duke’s friend Kilo is also a student at the college. She has 4 credits and plans to take 12 credits per semester. After how many semesters will Duke and Kilo have the same number of credits?
Duke and Kilo will have the same number of credits after 3 semesters.