DEFINED: STORY PROBLEMS: "Often used to solve applied problems- that is, problems that involve applications of mathematics to other fields." Algebra and Trigonometry with Analytic Geometry, pg 69.
This was a fairly simple section, but with many guidelines from the text book. To summarize...
If a problem is stated in writing, read it through carefully several times. Think about the information given and find the facts important to solving the problem.
Be sure to assign a letter to stand as a variable when solving and be sure you know exactly what you are trying to find.
If possible, draw a picture for visual aid. List facts and see how they may connect.
NOW, you may formulate an equation for the stated situation, solve, and check the solutions you found for overall accuracy.
Basically, these are good strategies to keep from making mistakes, keep your information organized, rule out anything that is actually unneeded, and eventually solve. Everyone is a different learner so try drawing pictures or making lists, your choice, as long as it keeps you on track and eventually gets you to the right place.
EXAMPLE :)
"Test Score"
"A student in an algebra course has test scores of 75, 82,71, and 84. What scor
e on the next test will raise the student's average to 80? "
List of info:
let x = needed test score
the student already has test scores of 75, 82, 71 and 84
current average: 78
Now that we have all usable information and have re read the problem several times, we can create formulas and follow normal algebra operations for solving equations that Peter showed in the prior section.
(75 + 82+ 71+ 84+ x) / 5 = 80 simplify inside parentheses
(312+x) /5 = 80 multiply both sides by 5
312+x = 400 subtract 312 from both sides
x = 88
CHECK YOUR WORK:
(75 + 82 + 71 + 84 + 88) / 5 = 80
400 / 5 = 80
80= 80
Good luck!
~Kendall
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