What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the phrase Word problems?
Jenn, Founder Calcworkshop®, 15+ Years Experience (Licensed & Certified Teacher)
For some, it’s a chance to solve a real-world example, so there’s a level of excitement and sense of wonder. For others, it’s groaning, and frustration on where to even begin.
Well, in this lesson we’re going to make Solving Linear Equation Word Problems manageable with easy to follow tricks and steps.
We already know how to solve all different types of equations. Yay!
And we also know how to translate algebraic expressions and equations. Double Yay!
Now it’s time to bring both of these together.
Solving equations and word problems Example
But, what about the tricks and steps?
Yes, there are some easy to follow steps that we are going to use to solve linear word problems.
- Read the problem carefully and determine what is being asked.
- Create a sidebar! Using different colors, symbols and diagrams and write an equation the relates all the information given.
- Solve your equation and check your answer(s).
Now, these steps might not seem all that remarkable, but once you see them in action I guarantee that writing equations from word problems and solving them will become like second nature!
Again, the secret to success is your Sidebar. This is where you will write down all the information you’ve gleaned from the problem, and formulate a solution by writing an equation to model the situation, as Khan Academy accurately states.
Together we will walk through 9 examples in detail ranging from finding consecutive integers to finding hourly wages, profit and cost, distances for rectangles and triangles, and people’s ages.
Linear Word Problems (How-To) – Video
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