Transcript Double Jake`s age, x, minus 4 is 22 2x

Setting up Algebra Word
Problems
Double Jake’s age, x, minus 4 is 22
2x – 4 = 22
How to start a word problem
1. Read the problem all the way through quickly to see
what kind of word problem it is and what it is
about.
2. Look for a question at the end of the problem. This
is often a good way to find what you are solving for.
Sometimes two or three things need to be found.
3. What you are trying to find is usually stated in the
question at the end of the problem.
4. Read the problem again. This time read it one piece
at a time. Simple problems usually have two
unknowns, and the other gives you equation
information. Translate the problem from words to
symbols one piece at a time.
Common Statements and the Algebra
Representation
Statement
Algebra
Twice as much as the
unknown
2x
Two less than the
unknown
x-2
Five more than the
unknown
x+5
Three more than
twice the unknown
2x + 3
a number decreased
by 7
ten decreased by the
unknown
Sheri's age (x) 4 years
from now
Dan's age (x) 10 years
ago
number of cents in
quarters
x-7
10 - x
x+4
x - 10
25x
number of cents in
2x dimes
number of cents in x
+ 5 nickels
Separate 17 into two
parts
Distance traveled in
(x) hours at 50 mph
10(2x)
5(x + 5)
x and 17 - x
50x
Two consecutive
integers
two consecutive
even integers
two consecutive odd
integers
Interest in (x) dollars
for 1 year at 5
percent
$20,000 separated
into two investments
x and x+1
x and x+2
x and x+2
0.05x
x and $20,000 - x
Distance traveled in
3 hours at (x) mph
Distance traveled in
40 minutes at x mph
(40 minutes = 2/3
hour)
Sum of a number
and 20
product of a number
and 3
3x
2x / 3
x + 20
3x
quotient of a
number and 8
four times as much
three is four more
than a number
x/8
4x
3=x+4
Facts to remember
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
“Times as much” means to multiply
“More than” means add.
“Decreased by” means subtract
“Increased by” means add
“Separate 28 into two parts” means find two
numbers whose sum is 28
6. “Percent of” means multiply
7. “Is, was, will be, and are” becomes the equals
sign (=) in algebra.
8. If 7 exceeds 2 by 5, then 7 – 2 = 5. “Exceeds”
becomes a minus sign (-), and “by” becomes an
equal s sign (=).