Equation Word Problems

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What is an equation word problem?

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An equation word problem is a mathematical problem presented in a narrative form that requires the formulation of an equation to find an unknown value.

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How do you identify the unknown in a word problem?

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The unknown is typically represented by a variable (like x or w) and is the value you need to find based on the information given in the problem.

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What does it mean to 'translate' a word problem into an equation?

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Translating a word problem into an equation involves converting the words and relationships described in the problem into a mathematical expression or equation.

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What is the first step in solving a word problem?

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The first step is to read the problem carefully and identify the key information, including the unknowns and the relationships between them.

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What is a variable in the context of word problems?

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A variable is a symbol (usually a letter) that represents an unknown quantity in an equation.

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How do you set up an equation for a problem involving total cost?

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Identify fixed costs and variable costs, then express the total cost as the sum of these costs, often in the form: Total Cost = Fixed Cost + (Variable Cost per item × Number of items).

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What is the equation for finding the weight after a decrease?

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If w is the new weight, the equation is: w = original weight - decrease.

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How do you represent a situation where a total is reached by adding a fixed amount and a variable amount?

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The equation can be set up as: Fixed Amount + (Variable Amount × Number of items) = Total.

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What is the equation for a taxi fare based on distance traveled?

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The equation is: Total Fare = Base Fare + (Cost per mile × Number of miles).

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How do you model a situation with multiple groups, like students in cars and buses?

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You can express the total as: Number in cars + (Number of buses × Number of students per bus) = Total number of students.