Help Solving Word Problems In Algebra

These keywords can go a long way in helping you determine how to set up the algebra equations.

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When you have read through the entire word problem, you will want to go back through and underline anything important.Check −14: −14(−14 2) = (−14)×(−12) = 168 YES Check 12: 12(12 2) = 12×14 = 168 YES So there are two solutions: -14 and -12 is one, 12 and 14 is the other.Note: we could have also tried "guess and check": And so L = 8 or −14 There are two solutions to the quadratic equation, but only one of them is possible since the length of the room cannot be negative!However, word problems can present a real challenge if you don't know how to break them down and find the numbers underneath the story. Solving word problems is an art of transforming the words and sentences into mathematical expressions and then applying conventional algebraic techniques to solve the problem. On the other hand, if you write down each step while solving the problem, you can retrace your steps and make sure your answer is correct.Above anything else, algebra word problems need practice on a consistent basis.We will call the smaller integer n, and so the larger integer must be n 2 And we are told the product (what we get after multiplying) is 168, so we know: n(n 2) = 168 We are being asked for the integers Solve: That is a Quadratic Equation, and there are many ways to solve it.Using the Quadratic Equation Solver we get −14 and 12.Also, be sure to pay close attention to the relationship of the two variables when it comes to division and subtraction.It matters which variable comes first, and when the algebra word problem asks for the difference between x and y, when you write the algebra out, you will show x – y.