Does anyone have any advice for approaching word problems in math? Some word problems I can handle, but others, I have no clue. I need to improve my word problems skills, because the SAT and ACT are killing me with them; moreover, I can't survive math class without knowing how to do them. How can I not get distracted by all of the details and focus on the important things?
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Name your variables first. Then look for sentences that describe how those variables are related.
For a simple example: Amy, Bruce and Carla buy 28 books,.
You'd write the equation like this:
A + B + C = 28
If Amy bought twice as many as Bruce did, add a second equation:
A = 2B
If Carla bought the same number as Bruce did, add a third equation:
C = B
You need to get these three equation with three variables down to one equation that has only one variable. Use the second and third equations to replace A and C in the first equation:
A + B + C = 28
becomes
2B + B + B = 28
Simplify:
4B = 28
Divide by 4:
B = 7
Bruce and Carla bought 7 books each. Amy bought 14.
For a simple example: Amy, Bruce and Carla buy 28 books,.
You'd write the equation like this:
A + B + C = 28
If Amy bought twice as many as Bruce did, add a second equation:
A = 2B
If Carla bought the same number as Bruce did, add a third equation:
C = B
You need to get these three equation with three variables down to one equation that has only one variable. Use the second and third equations to replace A and C in the first equation:
A + B + C = 28
becomes
2B + B + B = 28
Simplify:
4B = 28
Divide by 4:
B = 7
Bruce and Carla bought 7 books each. Amy bought 14.