CLASS DISCUSSION: Please come up with a word problem.

Then, identify the knowns and

unknowns of the problem, and transform the word problem into a mathematical equation.
EXAMPLE ONE: .....................................................................................................................1
SOLUTION: ..........................................................................................................................1
WORD PROBLEMS WITH INEQUALITIES: ......................................................................2
QUADRATIVE EQUATIONS ................................................................................................2
Word Problem 1:...................................................................................................................2
Word Problem 2:...................................................................................................................2
WRITE AN EQUATION..........................................................................................................2
Solve The Answer..................................................................................................................2
Explanation: ..........................................................................................................................2
CHECK: ................................................................................................................................3
ANOTHER EXAMPLE:.......................................................................................................3
GEOMETRIC WORD PROBLEM: ........................................................................................3
FIRST STEP: . ........................................................................................................................3
SECOND STEP: . ...................................................................................................................3
THIRD STEP: ........................................................................................................................3
An equation is defined as a statement that two expressions are equal (Sperling, 1991, pages 79
and 83).
Write the following statements as equations (71). The perimeter (p) is a rectangle that equals
twice its length (l) added to twice its width (w). Answer: P = 2l + 2w.
The distance (d) traveled by an object that moves at a given rate of speed (R) for a given time (t)
equals the rate multiplied by the time.
EXAMPLE ONE: If R = WC/L, solve for W, C, and L.
SOLUTION:
Step One: R = WC/L, Original formula
Step Two: LR/C = W, to separate W, C, and L are transposed
Step Three: LR/W = C, to separate C, L and W are transposed
Step Four: L = WC/R to separate L, L and R are transposed
Practically Speaking:
Jenny goes to Talbots to buy a dress. Since there is a 35% - off sale on some merchandise, she
thinks she may be able to find a bargain. Jenny finds two dresses that she would like to buy. One
costs $150.00 but is marked 35% off, so the dress will cost $150 minus 35%. The second dress
costs $115.00 but thee is no discount. Which dress will be less expensive to buy? The dress that
cost $150.00 would be the less expensive dress to buy, after the discount is applied, and the final
price would be is $115.00. The first dress was $150.00, and the 35% discount is less by $52.50
which makes the new price of the dress is $97.50. Why? 35% multiplied by $150.00 is $52.50.
Fifty-two dollars and .50 cents subtracted by $150.00 is $97.50.
SANDERS, THALIA C.
CLASS DISCUSSION

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MATH100
7/19/2007

WORD PROBLEMS WITH INEQUALITIES:

Follow the same steps as just before just pay close attention to the less than or greater than sign
at the end. Juan can spend up to $50.00 to by a new shirt. If the sales tax is 5%, what is the most
expensive shirt he can buy? I am going to find the cost of the shirt with the sales tax that is less
than or equal to $50.00. Let s = the cost of the shirt. Since s + .05(s) < 50.
QUADRATIVE EQUATIONS TO SOLVE APPLIED PROBLEMS
Translate into math. Solve the equation:
S + .05(s) < $50
1.05(s) < $50
1.05(s) < $50
$1.05
$1.05
S < $ 47.62
Word Problem 1: The most the shirt can cost is $47.62. Check the answer: Does it seem
reasonable that a shirt can cost $47.62 or less plus 5% sales tax will be less than equal or equal to
$50? Answer: Yes.
Word Problem 2:
Tobey writes (2003) writes that Carlos lives in Mexico City. He has a rectangular brick walkway
in front of his house. The length of the walkway is 3 meters longer then twice the width. The
area of the walkway is 44 square meters. Find the length and width of the rectangular walkway.
2w + 3
w

w
2w + 3

Let w = the width in meters, Then 2w + 3 = the length in meters.

WRITE AN EQUATION: AREA = (WIDTH) (LENGTH), 44 = W (2W + 3)
Solve The Answer
44 = W (2w + 3)
44 = 2w2 + 3w (Remove parenthesis)
44 - 44 or, 0 = 2w2 + 3w 44 (Subtract 44 from both sides)
0 = (2w + 11) (w 4) (Factor) (2w + 0) (w + 1) = 3, and (0 + 11) * (0 + 4) = 44
Explanation: 2w * 1w = 2w2 (1st step) go back and go to
2w + 1 = 3w (2nd step), but this is the only one that is added
(0 + 11) * (0 + 4) = 44 (3), or
SANDERS, THALIA C.
CLASS DISCUSSION

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WEEK 4: 7/16-22/07

MATH100
7/19/2007

We can say that 11 * 4 = 44, next we resume back to the quadrative equation
0 = 2w2 + 3w 44
0 = (2w + 11) (w 4)
2w + 11 = 0, w 4 = 0 {Set each factor equal to 0} leave the RHS in tact, you will see why
2w + 11 11 = 0 11,

w + 4 - 4 = 0 + 4 {Simplify and Solve}

2w = -11

w=4

W=-5
Since w = 4, then the width of the walkway is 4 meters. The length is 2w + 3, so we have 2(4) +
3 = 8 + 3 = 11. Therefore, the length of the walkway is 11 meters.
CHECK: Is the length 3 meters more than twice the width?
11 ? = 3 + 2(4) the width of walkway in meters
11 = 3 + 8
Is the area of the rectangle 44 square meters? 4 x 11 = 44, 44 = 44.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE:
7x + 7 * x2 x 20
x + 4 7x2 42 49
SOLVE:
= 7(x + 1) * (x 5)(x + 4)
(x + 4)
7(x2 6x 7)
= 7(x + 1) * (x 5)(x + 4) = x 5
(x + 4)
7(x + 1) (x 7) x 7
GEOMETRIC WORD PROBLEM:
HOW MUCH CARPET IS NEEDED TO COVER A ROOM FIFTEEN FEET BY TEN FEET?
FIRST STEP: TRY TO FIND THE AREA OF THE ROOM.
SECOND STEP: DETERMINE WHAT YOU KNOW? The formula for the area of a rectangle.
THIRD STEP: SUBSTITUTE VALUES INTO THE FORMULA AND SOLVE:

SANDERS, THALIA C.
CLASS DISCUSSION

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WEEK 4: 7/16-22/07

MATH100
7/19/2007

A=LxW
A = 15 x 10
A = 150 square feet of carpet is needed
Check your answer: Fifteen feet times ten feet is one hundred fifty feet and 15 x 10 = 150
THE END

SANDERS, THALIA C.
CLASS DISCUSSION

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WEEK 4: 7/16-22/07

MATH100
7/19/2007