Word Problems
Home Up

 

Solving Word Problems:

To solve any word problem, you must follow the following steps:

bullet Become familiar with the problem. Read the problem at least twice.
bullet Translate the problem to an algebraic equation. The hardest step.
bullet Solve the equation.
bullet Test the solution by checking the answer against the original problem.

Translate a word problem to an algebraic expression:

Certain words usually translate to a certain operation. The following table can be of help when translating a problem to an algebraic expression.

Addition Subtraction Multiplication Division
Add Subtract Multiply Divide
Sum Difference Product Divided by
Increased by Decreased by Times Quotient
More than Less than Of Cut


Example:

A 33-ft long cable is cut into two pieces. One piece is twice as long as the other. How long are the pieces? 

90910.gif (2728 bytes)


Example:

The parameter of a rectangular building is 240-ft. If the length is 20-ft more than the width, find the dimensions of the building. 

90911.gif (5018 bytes)


Example:

When 3 is added to three times a certain number, the result was 27. What is the number?

90912.gif (1574 bytes)