2-F

Word Problems

• rate problems
• age problems
• percent problems
• consecutive integer problems
• a few miscellaneous problems
• exercises
• answers explained

Every Math 1 test has at least a few word problems. You can encounter word problems on any math topic in the Math 1 syllabus. In this section, you will see a variety of problems involving several areas of mathematics. Read each example carefully, and try to follow the algebraic solution.

To solve word problems algebraically, you must treat algebra as a foreign language and translate “word for word” from English into algebra, just as you would from English into any foreign language. When translating into algebra, you should use some letter (often x) to represent the unknown quantity you are trying to determine. Review all of the examples in this section so that you master this translation process. Once the translation is complete, you will be able to use the techniques presented in Section 2-E to solve the equation.

TIP

If you get stuck trying to set up or solve a word problem algebraically, use one of the tactics in Chapter 1 to get the correct answer.