Finding x word problems how to#
(If you're not sure how to do the math in this section, you might want to review our lesson on simplifying expressions.) First, let's simplify the expression as much as possible. This problem will take a few steps to solve. We should also take the dollar signs off of the money amounts to make them consistent with the other numbers. We've also already said we'll use m to represent the number of miles, so we can replace that too. We already know the number of days Jada drove, 2, so we can replace that. Next, we'll add in the numbers and variables we already know. (Not sure why you'd translate it this way? Check out our lesson on writing algebraic expressions.)Īs you can see, there were a few other words we could translate into operators, so and $.50 became + $.50, $.50 per mile became $.50 ⋅ mile, and is became =. To calculate the cost of something that costs a certain amount per day, you'd multiply the per-day cost by the number of days-in other words, 30 per day could be written as 30 ⋅days, or 30 times the number of days. The shorter version will be easier to translate into a mathematical expression.
If you look at this sentence and the original problem, you can see that they basically say the same thing: It cost Jada $30 per day and $0.50 per mile, and her total cost was $360.
Finding x word problems plus#
We know the total cost of the van, and we know that it includes a fee for the number of days, plus another fee for the number of miles. Let's take another look at the problem, with the facts we'll use to solve it highlighted. Step 3: Translate the rest of the problem. Of course, we could use any variable, but m should be easy to remember. Since we're trying to find the total number of miles Jada drove, we'll represent that amount with a variable-at least until we know it. Looking at our problem, do you see a quantity we should represent with a variable? It's often the number we're trying to find out. (To learn more about variables, see our lesson on reading algebraic expressions.) You can use a variable in the place of any amount you don't know. In algebra, you represent unknown numbers with letters called variables. Step 2: Represent unknown numbers with variables. In addition to paying a daily charge, Jada paid $0.50 per mile.There are a few important things we know that will help us figure out the total mileage Jada drove: Now we need to locate any information that will help us answer this question. We're trying to find out how many miles Jada drove. Jada rented a van to drive to her new home. The rate to rent a small moving van is $30 per day, plus $0.50 per mile. What question is the problem asking? In other words, what are you trying to find out? With any problem, start by reading through the problem. Step 1: Read through the problem carefully. It might seem complicated at first glance, but we already have all of the information we need to solve it. We'll work through an algebra word problem using these steps. Translate the rest of the problem into a mathematical expression.Represent unknown numbers with variables.Read through the problem carefully, and figure out what it's about.You can tackle any word problem by following these five steps: Yes, they involve more complicated math, but they use the same basic problem-solving skills as simpler word problems. If you were able to solve this problem, you should also be able to solve algebra word problems. You could write this as:ġ2 - 4 = 8, so you know Johnny has 8 apples left. By the end, he has 4 less because he gave them away. By reading the problem, you know Johnny starts out with 12 apples. In this case, you're supposed to find out how many apples Johnny has left at the end of the problem. You could solve this problem by looking at the numbers and figuring out what the problem is asking you to do. If he gives four to Susie, how many will he have left? If you've ever taken a math class, you've probably solved a word problem. Basically, it describes a realistic problem and asks you to imagine how you would solve it using math.
en/algebra-topics/solving-equations/content/ What are word problems?Ī word problem is a math problem written out as a short story or scenario.
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