Transcript Converting Word Problems into Algebraic Equations

Converting Word Problems into
Algebraic Equations
Brought to you by
Tutorial Services – The Math Center
Workshop Objectives
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In this workshop, we will:
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Learn how to develop a strategy for solving word
problems
Learn how to “translate” word problems into
algebraic (math) symbols
Work out some examples
Developing a strategy
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Read the problem carefully!
Try to describe the information given in your
own words.
Identify what the word problem is asking you
for.
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Algebraic expression Ex. 5x + 3
Solving an equation Ex. 5x + 3 = 23
“Translating” the words
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Refer to the table on the student handout.
Identify all key words given in the word
problem.
“Sum”
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“Difference”
“Quotient”
“Product”
Do any of the key words require special
attention to order?
Begin your translation!
Example 1
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Six subtracted from 5 times a number
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Based on the key words, what operation will you
be doing? “Subtracted” “Times”
Are we just writing the algebraic expression or do
we have to solve an equation? “is”
According to the table, do you have to be careful
with order?
6
Where?
Example 1 (cont.)
Translate into symbols
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Write down operation sign
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Write what comes after
“subtracted from” before the
minus sign
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Write what comes before
“subtracted from” after the
minus sign
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Final algebraic expression
5x
-
6
Final Expression:
Example 2
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Twice a number plus one is equal to 145.
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Based on the key words, what operation will you
be doing? “Plus”
Are we just writing the algebraic expression or do
we have to solve an equation?
“is”
According to the table, do you have to be careful
with order? 2x +
Does it matter?
Example 2 (cont.)
Translate into symbols
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Keyword?
“Plus”
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+
Twice a number
2x
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Twice a number plus one is equal to 145.
2x
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+
1
=
145
Solve for unknown value
2x + 1 - 1 = 145 - 1
2x = 144
2
2
x = 72
Brought to you by
Tutorial Services – The Math Center
Questions?
Converting Word Problem Links
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Converting Word Problems Handout
Translating Words into Algebraic Terms
Converting Word Problems Quiz