SYSTEMS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS

AND INEQUALITIES

Week 05: Solving Word Problems Prepared by: Jojo M. Lucion

DISCUSSION

When you solve word problems you have to translate from English into mathematical sentences

and phrases. When a word problem involves two conditions, we may be able to translate each condition

into an equation. The numbers that satisfy both equations at the same time represent the solution of

the word problem.

A. Number Relation Problems

Example 1

In the recent achievement test Jose has 6 fewer mistakes than Maria. Twice the number Maria's

mistakes is 5 more than three times the number Jose has. How many mistakes does each have?

Let x = the number of mistakes Maria has

y = the number of mistakes Jose has

Solve for u

t+u=6

2+u=6

u=6-2

B. Business and Investment Problems

C. Geometric Problems

D. Motion Problems