3-6 Equations & Problem Solving

The first step is to define the variables There is no magic formula for doing this because each problem is a little different. You need to identify the variable based on the problem. Usually you will need to identify one variable in terms of another. Ex. The perimeter of a rectangle is 24 in. One side is 6 in. longer than the other side. The variables are side #1 and side #2. Identify one of them as s, If Side #1 = s, then Side #2 = s + 6

There are 5 typical types of problems: Perimeter problems Consecutive integer problems Combined money problem Age/Comparison problems Distance problems Lets do an example of each!

Perimeter problems: These are usually pretty easy! You can always draw it The perimeter of a rectangle is 24 in. One side is 6 in. longer than the other side. What are the dimensions? s The variables are side #1 and side #2 Identify one of them as s, If Side #1 = s, then Side #2 = s + 6 s+6 Since the perimeter is 24add up all sides And set them equal to 24. s + s + (s + 6) + (s + 6) = 24 4s + 12 = 24 4s = 12 s = 3 This isnt the complete answer! The answer is 3 units by 9 units

Consecutive integer problems: These are usually pretty easy as well! The sum of 3 consecutive integers is 258, find them! The variables are integer #1, integer #2, and integer #3 Identify one of them as x, The next one would be 1 more, or x + 1 The next one would be 2 more or x + 2 Remember that their sum is 258. x + (x + 1) + (x + 2) = 258 3x + 3 = 258 3x = 255 x = 85 This isnt the complete answer! The answer is 85, 86 & 87

Combined money problems:

Tony has twice as much money as Alicia. She has $16 less than Ralph. Together they have $200. How much money does each person have?
The variables are Tonys $, Alicias $, and Ralphs $. The key to these problems is picking the right variable! Look at the problem, and identify which one is somehow related to the other two. I know the relationship b/t Tonys & Alicias Alicias & Ralphs Since Alicia is connected to both, make her $ the variable. So, let Alicias $ = a That means Tonys $ = 2a and Ralphs $ = a + 16 And together they have a sum of 200so the equation would be: a + 2a + (a + 16) = 200

Age or comparison problems: These are very similar to the combined money problems. The key to these problems is picking the right variable!
State College has 620 students. There are 20 more women than men. How many men are there? How many women are there? If w = the number of women, then the number of men = w 20 Alternative method If m = the number of men, then the number of women = m + 20 Its a good idea to avoid subtraction if possible, but either method will work! The number of men plus the number of women = 620 m + (m + 20) = 620 2m + 20 = 620 2m = 600 m = 300 This isnt the complete answer! There are 300 men and 320 women

Distance problems tend to be the toughest.

The problem is usually translating them from English into Algebra.

Start with the formula for speed (aka rate)

distance Rate = time This formula can be manipulated..
times

Start with the formula for speed (aka rate)

distance Rate = time This formula can be manipulated..

You end up with 3 different (similar) formulas: d = rt

d r= t d t= r

There are also three types of distance problems: Motion in opposite directions Motion in the same direction Roundtrip

Each type of problem is solved a little differentlydepending on what information you have.
Motion in opposite directions problems usually use d1 + d2 = total d

Motion in the same direction usually use d1 = d2 Roundtrip problems usually use d1 = d2

No matter which type of problem it is, you should set up a chart like this:

distance

rate

time

Ex. Motion in opposite directions problems usually use d1 + d2 = total d Jane and Peter leave their home traveling in opposite directions on a straight road. Peter drives 15 mph faster than Jane. After 3 hours, they are 225 miles apart. Find Peters rate and Janes rate.
Jane Peter

225 miles

What should the variable be?

Look at the questionfind the ratetheres the clue!

Ex. Jane and Peter leave their home traveling in opposite directions on a straight road. Peter drives 15 mph faster than Jane. After 3 hours, they are 225 miles apart. Find Peters rate and Janes rate.
If Janes rate = r, what is Peters rate? The time and the distance are both given! t = 3 hours and d = 225 miles Peters rate = r + 15 How do I put this all together using a formula? distance rate time

Jane
Peter

r
r + 15

3
3

Think about the distance travelledits their TOTAL distanceI have to add Janes distance plus Peters distance to get 225.

Janes distance + Peters distance = 225 miles

Janes distance = Janes rate * Janes time Peters distance = Peters rate * Peters time

Janes rate = r Janes time = 3 So Janes distance = 3r

Peters rate = r + 15 Peters time = 3 So Peters distance = 3(r + 15)

Janes distance + Peters distance = 225 miles, so: 3r + 3(r + 15) = 225 3r + 3r + 45 = 225 6r + 45 = 225 6r = 180 r = 30 Look back at how you defined the variables. Janes rate = 30 mph and Peters rate = 45 mph

Motion in the same direction problems usually use d1 = d2

Ex. Motion in opposite directions Jane and Peter leave their home traveling in the same direction. Peter drives 55 mph, Jane drives 40mph. Jane leaves at noon, Peter leaves at 1 P.M. When will Peter catch up to Jane?

What should the variable be?

Look at the question..when..theres the cluefind the time!
NB! time = time spent traveling, NOT time of day!
distance rate time

Jane Peter

40 55

t+1
t

If Peters time = t What is Janes time?

Since she left 1 hour earlier, her time is t+1

Motion in the same direction problems usually use d1 = d2

Jane and Peter leave their home traveling in the same direction. Peter drives 55 mph, Jane drives 40mph. Jane leaves at noon, Peter leaves at 1 P.M. When will Peter catch up to Jane?

Use the formula d = r * t

distance rate
time

Janes d = Peters d

Jane 40(t+1)

40

t+1 t

40(t+1) = 55t 40t + 40= 55t 40 = 15t 10 t=2

15 2 3

Peter

55t

55

t=2

What does this mean? When Peter has been traveling 2 2 hours and 3 2 Jane has been traveling 3 3 , they will have travelled the same distanceor to put it another way, Peter will have caught up to Jane. The time will be 3:40 P.M.

Roundtrip problems usually use d1 = d2

Ex. Round trip problem Jane goes to the mall. She drives 35mph. On the way home, there is lots of traffic. She averages 15 mph. Her total travel time was 2 hours. How long did it take her to get to the mall?

What should the variable be?

Look at the questionhow long ...theres the cluefind the time!
distance rate time

there

35
15

t
2-t

If Janes time there = t What is her time home? Since her total time is 2 and it takes her t hours to get there, her time home is 2 t

back

You cant avoid subtraction on this one.

Jane goes to the mall. She drives 35mph. On the way home, there is lots of traffic. She averages 15 mph. Her total travel time was 2 hours. How long did it take her to get to the mall?

Use the formula d = r * t

distance rate time

d there = d back

there back

35t

35
15

15(2-t)

2-t

35t = 15(2-t) 35t = 30 15t 50t = 30 t= 3

5

What does this mean? It took Jane 3 of an hour to get 5 2 to the mall and it took her 1 hours to get home. 5 If you wanted to convert this to minutes, just multiply by 60.