How to Solve Word Problems by

Working Backward Part 3

BY CIVIL SERVICE REVIEWER MARCH 25, 2016

In part 1 and part 2 of this series, we have learned how to solve

number age problems by working backward. In this post, we are
going to learn how to solve backward using inverse operations.
Recall that multiplication and division are inverse operations and
addition and subtraction are inverse operations.
Example 5
A number is multiplied by 4 and then, 3 is added to the product. The
result is 31. What is the number?
Solution
The key phrases in this problem are (1) multiplied by 4 and (2)
added to (3) the result is 31. Since we are working backward, we
start with 31, and then find the inverse of added to 3 which is
subtract 3. So, 31 3 = 28.
Next, we find the inverse of multiplied by 4, which is divided by
4. So, 28/4 = 7.
So, the answer to this problem is 7.
Check: 7(4) + 3 = 31
Example 6
Think of a number. Divide it by 8. Then subtract 4 from the quotient.
The result is 5. What is the number?
Solution
The key phrases in this problem are (1) divided by 8 (2) subtract 4
and (3) the result is (3) the result is 5.

We start with the result which is 5 and find the inverse of subtract
4 which is add 4. So, 5 + 4 = 9. Next, we find the inverse of
divide by 8 which is multiply by 8. So, 9(8) = 72.
So, the correct answer is 72.
Check: 72/8 4 = 9 4 = 5.

How to Solve Problems by Working

Backward Part 2
BY CIVIL SERVICE REVIEWER MARCH 20, 2016

In the previous post, we have learned how to solve number

problems by working backward. In this post, we discuss age
problems. We already had 2 examples in the previous post in this
series, so we start with the thirdexample.
Example 3
Arvin is 5 years older than Michael. The sum of their ages is 37.
What are their ages?
Solution
This is very similar to the problems in the previous post in this
series. Arvin is 5 years older than Michael, so if we subtract 5 from
Arvins age, their ages will be equal. But if we subtract 5 from
Arvins age, we also have to subtract 5 from the sum of their
ages. That is,
37 5 = 32.
Now, their ages are equal, so we can divide the sum by 2. That is
32 2 = 16. This means that the younger person is 16 since we

subtracted 5 from Arvins age. Therefore, Arvin is 16 and Michael is

16 + 5 = 21.
Check
16 + 21 = 37.
Example 4
Mia is 3 years older than Pia. In 4 years, the sum of their ages is 35.
What are their ages?
Solution
There are two of them and we added 4 to both ages, so subtracting
8 from 35 (the sum) will determine the sum of their present age.
That is 35 8 = 27 is the sum of their present age.
Next, Mia is 3 years older than Pia, so if we subtract 3 from the sum
of their present age, their ages will be equal. So, 27 3 = 24.
We can now divide the sum of their ages by 2. That is 24/2 = 12.
This means that 12 is the age of the younger person because we
subtracted 3 from the age of the older person.
So, Pia is 12 and Mia is 15.
Check 12 + 15 = 22.

How to Solve Word Problems by

Working Backward Part 1

BY CIVIL SERVICE REVIEWER MARCH 16, 2016

Most of us would always take a pen and solve for x if we see word
problems. But did you know that you can solve them by working
backward or even mentally? In this post, I am going to teach you
some techniques on solving problems by working backward.
Example 1: One number is three more than the other. Their sum is
45. What are the numbers?
Solution
In the given, one number is 3 more than the other. This means that
if you subtract 3 from the larger number they will be equal. Note
that if we subtract 3 from one of the numbers, then we should also
subtract 3 from their sum. Therefore, their sum will be 45 3 = 42.
Since the numbers are equal, we now divide the sum by 2. That is,
42/2 = 21.
So, the smaller number is 21 and the larger is 21 + 3 = 24.
Check: 21 + 24 = 45
Example 2: One number is 5 less than the other. Their sum is 43.
What is the smaller number?
Solution
This is very similar to Example 1. Here, one number is 5 less than
the other; so, if we add 5 to the smaller number, they will be equal.
If we add 5 to the smaller number, we should also add 5 to their
sum. Therefore, their sum will be 43 + 5 = 48. Since the two
numbers are equal, we can divide the sum by 2. That is 48/2 = 24.
Since we added 5, it means that 24 is the larger number. So, the
smaller number is 24 5 = 19.

Check: 19 + 24 = 43

7 Tips in Answering Reading

Comprehension Questions
BY CIVIL SERVICE REVIEWER JANUARY 30, 2016

Reading comprehension questions is one of the types of test in the

Civil Service Examination and is usually included in many Standard
English tests. Reading comprehensionquestions are not very
difficult, but they take a lot of time. However, with practice and
correct strategy, you might be able to reduce the time you spend on
the questions, increase your chance of passing the examination,
and even get a high score. Below are some of the tips that you can
use in answeringreading comprehension questions.
7 Tips in Answering Reading Comprehension Questions
1.) Before reading the passage, read the questions first (not the
choices). If you know the questions, then you can choose what to
take note while reading.
2.) Pay attention to the first and last sentences in the each
paragraph. Usually, those sentences state the main idea of the
passage.
3.) Most passages have clues about the important ideas. Phrases
like note that, clearly, and do not overlook give you hints on
which ideas to focus on.
4.) Read ALL the choices. Do not rush answering if you think you
found the correct answer. The next answer might be a better
answer.

5.) Take note of the difference between the true answer and correct
answer. Carefully read the passage and understand the ideas it
communicates. Be sure that your answer is based on the passage
and not your own opinion.
6.) Do not spend a lot of time in one question. If you cannot find the
answer even if you refer to the passage, eliminate the obviously
wrong choices, and choose your answer from the remaining choices.
7.) Review your answers. If you finished the exam early, go back to
the questions where you have doubts. Reread the passage and
answer the question.