IB Math Studies I

Chapter 4(E)
[ notes ]

4E: Problem Solving with Linear Equations

step 1: Determine what the unknown is, use a letter to
represent it.
step 2: Decide which operations are involved.
step 3: Translate into an equation.
step 4: Solve equation.
step 5: Check that your solution satisfies the original
problem.
step 6: Write answer in sentence form.
Example 1 -

When a number is tripled and then subtracted

from 20, the result is 14. Find the number.

step 1: Let x be the number.

step 2: The number tripled 3x.
The number subtracted from 20
step 3: Equation 20 - 3x = 14
step 4: Solve
-20
-20
-3x = -6
-3 -3
x=2
step 5: Check 20 - 3(2) 20 - 6 = 14
step 6: The number is 2

20 - 3x

IB Math Studies I

Chapter 4(E)
[ notes ]

4E: Problem Solving with Linear Equations

Example 2 - Hadley has only 5 cent, 10 cent, and 25 cent coins

in her backpack. She has 21 coins in total, and she has 4 more
10 cent coins than 5 cent coins. If the total value is $3.25, how
many 10 cent coins does she have?
step 1: unknown
step 2: table

Coin

Number

5 cent
10 cent
25 cent

step 3: Equation
step 4: Solve

step 5: Check
step 6: Hadley has eight 10 cent coins.

Value