Demystified Series Advanced Statistics Demystified Algebra Demystified ‘Anatomy Demystified Astronomy Demystified Biology Demystified Business Statistics Demystified Calculus Demystified Chemistry Demystified College Algebra Demystified Differential Equations Demystified Earth Science Demystified Electronics Demystified Everyday Math Demystified Geometry Demystified Math Word Problems Demystified Physics Demystified Physiology Demystified Pre-Algebra Demystified Pre-Calculus Demystified Project Management Demystified Roboties Demystified Statistics Demystified Trigonometry Demystifiedl i i a a & MATH WORD PROBLEM DEMYSTIFIEI ALLAN G. BLUMANCopyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, In. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. 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If such services are required, the assistance of an appropriate professional Should e soughtTo Betty Claire, Allan, Mark, and all my students who have made my teaching career an enjoyable experience.CONTENTS Preface ix LESSON 1 Introduction to Solving Word Problems a LESSON 2 Solving Word Problems Using Whole Numbers 6 REFRESHER I Decimals 11 LESSON 3 Solving Word Problems Using Decimals 14 REFRESHER I Fractions 18 LESSON 4 Solving Word Problems Using Fractions 27 Quiz 1 31 REFRESHER III Percents 35 LESSON 5 Solving Word Problems Using Percents 43 LESSON 6 Solving Word Problems Using Proportions 51 LESSON 7 Solving Word Problems Using Formulas 60 Quiz 2 66 REFRESHER IV Equations 69 LESSON 8 Algebraic Representation 82 LESSON 9 Solving Number Problems 88 LESSON 10 —_ Solving Digit Problems 98 éLESSON 11 LESSON 12 LESSON 13 LESSON 14 LESSON 15 LESSON 16 LESSON 17 REFRESHER V LESSON 18 REFRESHER VI LESSON 19 LESSON 20 LESSON 21 LESSON 22 LESSON 23 CONTENTS Solving Coin Problems Quiz 3 Solving Age Problems Solving Distance Problems Solving Mixture Problems Solving Finance Problems Solving Lever Problems Solving Work Problems Quiz 4 Systems of Equations Solving Word Problems Using Two Equations Quadratic Equations Solving Word Problems Using Quadratic Equations Solving Word Problems in Geometry Quiz 5 Solving Word Problems Using Other Strategies Solving Word Problems in Probability Solving Word Problems in Statistics Quiz 6 Final Exam Answers to Quizzes and Final Exam Supplement: Suggestions for Success in Mathematics Index 108 118 121 131 147 160 172 181 194 197 207 226 232 240 252 255 267 276 283 285 293 295 299S PREFACE What did one mathematics book say to another one? “Boy, do we have problems?” All mathematics books have problems, and most of them have word prob- Jems. Many students have difficulties when attempting to solve word prob- Jems. One reason is that they do not have a specific plan of action. A mathematician, George Polya (1887-1985), wrote a book entitled How To Solve It, explaining a four-step process that can be used to solve word prob- ems. This process is explained in Lesson 1 of this book and is used through- out the book. This process provides a plan of action that can be used to solve word problems found in all mathematics courses. ‘This book is divided into several parts. Lessons 2 through 7 explain how to use the four-step process to solve word problems in arithmetic or prealgebra. Lessons 8 through 19 explain how to use the process to solve problems in algebra, and these lessons cover all of the basic types of problems (coin, mixture, finance, etc.) found in an algebra course, Lesson 20 explains how to use algebra when solving problems in geometry. Lesson 21 explains some other types of problem-solving strategies. These strategies can be used in liew of equations and can help in checking problems when equations are not appropriate. Because of the increasing popularity of the topics of probability and statistics, Lessons 22 and 23 cover some of the basic types of problems found in these areas. This book also contains six “Refreshers.” These are intended to provide a review of topics needed to solve the words that follow them. They are not intended to teach the topics from scratch. You should refer to appropriate textbooks if you need additional help with the refresher topics.PREFACE This book can be used either as a self-study book or as a supplement to your textbook. You can select the lessons that are appropriate for your needs. Best wishes on your success. .cknowledgments I would like to thank my wife, Betty Claire, for helping me with this project, and I wish to express’ my gratitude to my editor Judy Bass and to Carrie Green for their assistance in the publication of this book.6 MATH WORD PROBLEM DEMYSTIFIELESSON Introduction t Solving Wor Problem fi every atea of mathematics, you will encounter “word” problems. Some students are very good at solving word problems while others are not. When teaching word problems in prealgebra and algebra, I often hear “I don't know where to begin,” or “I have never been able to solve word problems.” A great deal has been written about solving word problems. A Hungarian eee George Polya, did much in the area of problem solving. is book, entitled How To Solve It, has been translated into at least 17 lan- ‘guages, and it explains the basic steps of problem solving. These steps are explained next. Step 1. Understand the problem. First read the problem carefully several ‘times. Underline or write down any information given in the ——~LESSON 1 Introduction problem. Next, decide what you are being asked to find. This step is called the goal. Step 2. Select a strategy to solve the problem. There are many ways to solve word problems. You may be able to use one of the basic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division. You may be able to use an equation or formula. You may even be able to solve a given problem by trial or error. This step will be called strategy. Step 3. Carry out the strategy. Perform the operation, solve the equation, etc., and get the solution. If one strategy doesn’t work, try another one. This step will be called implementation. Step 4. Evaluate the answer. This means to check your answer if possible. Another way to evaluate your answer is to see if it is reasonable. Finally, you can use estimation as a way to check your answer. This step will be called evaluation. When you think about the four steps, they apply to many situations that you may encounter in life. For example, suppose that you play basketball. ‘The goal is to get the basketball into the hoop. The strategy is to select a way to make a basket. You can use any one of several methods, such as a jump shot, a layup, a one-handed push shot, or a slam-dunk. The strategy that you use will depend on the situation. After you decide on the type of shot to try, you implement the shot. Finally, you evaluate the action. Did you make the basket? Good for you! Did you miss it? What went wrong? Can you improve on the next shot? Now let's see how this procedure applies to a mathematical problem, EXAMPLE: Find the next two numbers in the sequence ws uns 203 HW Wy SOLUTIO? GOAL: You are asked to find the next two numbers in the sequence. STRATEGY: Here you can use a strategy called “find a pattern.” Ask yourself, “What's being done to one number to get the next number in the sequence?” In this case, to get from 10 to 8, you can subtract 2. But to get from 8 to 11, you need to add 3. So perhaps it is necessary to do two different things.