Word Problems
To win the annual read-a-thon at his school, Tommy has to read more books than any of his classmates over winter break. He starts by reading a lot of sports books. Then, he reads 7 mystery books. In all, Tommy reads 25 books for the read-a-thon.
Which equation can you use to find the number of sports books n Tommy reads?
Solve this equation for n to find the number of sports books Tommy reads.
n+7=25
18 sports books
x+7>4
x>-3
g/9 = 5
45
Sum
The answer to an addition problem
What does this sign mean?
=
Equal To
On Saturday mornings, Shawn volunteers at the hospital where his mother works. One Saturday, he answers phone calls at the information desk while the receptionist is away. Then he spends 20 minutes delivering flowers to patients' rooms. In all, Shawn volunteers at the hospital for 60 minutes that day.
Which equation can you use to find the amount of time t that Shawn answers phone calls?
Solve this equation for t to find the amount of time that Shawn answers phone calls.
t+2-=60
40 minutes
x-5<3
x<8
7 = b − 17
24
Difference
The answer in a subtraction problem
>
Larger Than
Once Farid spends 15 minutes on a single level in his favorite video game, he loses a life. He has already spent 10 minutes on the level he's playing now.
Let x represent how many more minutes Farid can play on that level without losing a life. What inequality can describe the problem?
Solve the inequality
10+x<15
Farid can play less than 5 more minutes on that level without losing a life.
12x<=144
x<12
h/6 = 10
60
Product
The answer to a multiplication problem
What does this sign mean?
<
Smaller than
An airport has enough space for 16 planes to park. There are 9 planes parked at the airport right now.
Let x represent how many more planes can park at the airport. What inequality can describe the problem?
Solve the inequality
x+9≤16
Up to 7 more planes can park at the airport.
x-120≤80
x≤200
a − 5.1 = 2.6
7.7
Quotient
The answer to a division problem
What does this sign mean?
≤
Smaller than OR Equal to
At Cindy's Sweet Treats, cookies are packaged in boxes of 8. Depending on the cookie flavor, the most a box can cost is $16.
Let x represent how much each cookie costs. What inequality can describe the problem?
Solve the inequality
8x≤16
Each cookie costs at most 2 dollars
x+5.3<-4.2
x<-9.5
6m=210
m=35
Coeffecient
The number attached to a variable in an equation.
What does this sign mean?
≥
Larger than OR Equal to