2. A Guide for Problem Solving
1. Read the problem.
2. Let a variable stand for one of the unknowns.
Show the other unknowns in terms of that
variable.
3. Write an equation and solve it.
4. Answer the question.
5. Check your answer.
3. Example
Jean has $16 more than Joe
Four times Joe’s amount is the same as 2
times Jean’s amount
How much money does each have?
4. Example
One number is 6 more than another number
Three times the larger number is 5 more than
4 times the smaller
What are the numbers?
5. Example
Sarah is 5 years older than John
John is twice as old as Greg
Their ages total 45
How old is each?
6. Example
At a certain store, a pair of pants costs $8
more than a shirt.
Three pairs of pants cost the same as 5 shirts.
How much does each item cost?
