SOLVE IT
FIRST STEP IS..
VARIABLE ONLY
WORD PROBLEM
# OF SOLUTIONS
100

Solve: X+7=15

X=22

100

What is the first step? X+6=14

Subtract 6 from both sides.

100

Solve for X: X+a=b

X=a-b

100

Turn this into an equation: A number plus 8 equals 20.

X+8=20

100

How many solutions: X+4=X+4

Infinitely Many Solutions (IMS)

200

Solve: 3X=21

X=7


200

What is the first step? X-9=12

Add 9 to both sides.

200

Solve for X: ax=b

X=a/b

200

Turn this into an equation: Five more than twice a number is 17.

5+2X=17 or 2X+5=17

200

How many solutions: 2X+5=2X+5

Infinitely Many Solutions (IMS)

300

Solve: 2X+5=17

X=6

300

What is the first step? 5X=35

Divide both sides by 5.

300

Solve for X: aX-b=c

X= (c-b)/a

300

Turn this into an equation: A gym charges $10 plus $5 per visit.

10+5X or 5X+10

300

How many solutions: 4(X+2)=4X+8

Infinitely Many Solutions (IMS) 

400

Solve: 3(X+4)=24

X=4

400

What is the first step?

X+7      2

—— = ——

  2        4 

Cross multiply. (Butterfly trick)

400

Solve for X: a(X+b)=c

X=(c/a)-b

400

You have $48 and each game costs $8. How many can you buy?

48=8X —> 6 games

400

How many solutions: 3X+2=3X+7

No Solution

500

Solve: (X+4)/3=6


X=18

500

What is the first step? 2(x+4)=18

Distribute the 2.

500

Solve for X: (X+a)/b=c

X=bc-a

500

A phone plan costs $25 plus $1 per call. The bill is $37. How many calls did you make?


X+25=37 —> X=12

500

How many solutions: 5X-3=5X+2

No Solutions

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