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Solve simple algebraic word problems

Word situations are represented with equations or bar models in which an unknown whole, part, number of groups, or amount in each group is symbolized, and the equal sign expresses a relationship between equivalent quantities. The known relationships guide the choice of addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division with whole numbers; inverse operations and substitution can verify the solution. The focus excludes negative numbers, decimals, formal expressions, and advanced multistep algebraic manipulation.

Detailed Explanation: Solve simple algebraic word problems

A word problem tells you about quantities and how they are related. To solve it:

  1. Find what is unknown.
  2. Decide whether the problem describes equal groups, joining, separating, or comparing.
  3. Write an equation.
  4. Use the operation that finds the unknown.
  5. Check your answer in the original story.

Example

Maya has 24 stickers. She puts 6 stickers on each page. How many pages does she fill?

Step 1: Identify the known and unknown amounts

  • Total stickers: 2424
  • Stickers on each page: 66
  • Number of pages: unknown

There are equal groups of 66. We can think of the total as:

6+6+6+⋯=246 + 6 + 6 + \cdots = 24

Step 2: Write an equation

Let pp represent the number of pages.

6×p=246 \times p = 24

The equation says that 66 stickers on each page, multiplied by the number of pages, equals 2424 stickers altogether.

Step 3: Solve

Ask: “How many groups of 66 are in 2424?”

24÷6=424 \div 6 = 4

So,

p=4p = 4

Step 4: Check

If Maya fills 44 pages with 66 stickers on each page:

6×4=246 \times 4 = 24

The check matches the total, so Maya fills 4 pages.

Learn by doing: Solve simple algebraic word problems

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