Problem 1:

The product of the ages, in years of three teenagers is 4590. None of the teens are the
same age. What are the ages of the teenagers?

Solution 1:

STEP 1: Understand the problem: 

Given:

  Teenagers are ages 12-19. 

 Neither of the teens are the same age.

STEP 2: Devise a plan

 The ending number of the product is 0 (4590)

 It could be implied that one of the ages is 15 to produce a whole number.
 Divide 4590 by 15
 Find the other two ages with the quotient

STEP 3: Carry Out the Plan

 4590/15= 306. 
 Think of the other two numbers that would produce a product ending in 6
between 2-9
 The numbers that would result in a product ending in 6 without the numbers
repeating are 12 and 18 which would result in 216, and 17 and 18 which is equal
to 306.

The ages of the teenagers are 15, 17, and 18.

STEP 4: Review the Solution

To check: 15 x 17 x 18 = 4590

Problem 2:

If two ladders are placed end to end, their combined height is 31.5 feet. One ladder is
6.5 feet shorter than the other ladder. What are the heights of the two ladders?

Solution 2:
 

STEP 1: Understand the problem

Given:

 First ladder= x feet

 Second ladder= x-6.5
 Combined Height = 31.5 feet
 Find the value of x
 Heights of the two ladders=?

STEP 2: Devise a plan

 
●       First ladder= x
●       Other ladder= x - 6.5
●       Equation: x + (x - 6.5) = 31.5

STEP 3: Carry Out the Plan

First Ladder 

= x + (x - 6.5) = 31.5 (combine like terms)

= 2x - 6.5 = 31.5 (transpose the -6.5 to the other which will convert the sign into positive
6.5)

=  2x/2= 38/2

x = 19 feet

Second ladder

x - 6.5 = 19 - 6.5 = 12.5 feet

STEP 4: Review the Solution

●       First Ladder= 19 feet
●       Other Ladder= 12.5 feet

To check: 19 feet + 12.5 feet = 31.5 feet (combined height)