Introduction to Problem

Solving
Word Problems
In every area of mathematics, you will encounter ‘‘word’’
problems. Some students are very good at solving word
problems while others are not. When teaching word problems,
I often hear ‘‘I don’t know where to begin,’’ or ‘‘I have never
been able to solve word problems.’’ A great deal has been
written about solving word problems. A Hungarian
mathematician, George Polya, did much in the area of
problem solving. His book, entitled How To Solve It, has been
translated into at least 17 languages, and it explains the basic
steps of problem solving. These steps are explained next.
Polya’s Approach to Problem Solving

Step 1. UNDERSTAND the problem.

First read the problem carefully several times. Underline or
write down any information given in the problem. Next, decide
what you are being asked to find. This step is called the goal.

Step 2. Select a PLAN to solve the problem.

There are many ways to solve word problems. You may be
able to use one of the basic operations such as addition,
subtraction, multiplication, or division. You may be able to use
an equation or a formula. You may even be able to solve a
given problem by trial and error. This step will be called
strategy.
Polya’s Approach to Problem Solving

Step 3. Carry out the PLAN..

Perform the operation, solve the equation, etc., and get the
solution. If one strategy doesn’t work, try another one. This
step will be called implementation.

Step 4. EVALUATE the answer.

This means to check your answer if possible. Another way to

evaluate your answer is to see if it is reasonable. Finally, you
can use estimation as a way to check your answer. This step
will be called evaluation.
Polya’s Approach to Problem Solving

When you think about the four steps, they apply to many
situations that you may encounter in life. For example, suppose
that you play basketball. The goal is to get the basketball
into the hoop. The strategy is to select a way to make a
basket. You can use any one of several methods, such as a
jump shot, a layup, a one-handed push shot, or a slam-dunk.
The strategy that you use will depend on the situation. After
you decide on the type of shot to try, you implement the
shot. Finally, you Evaluate the action. Did you make the
basket? Good for you! Did you miss it? What went wrong? Can
you improve on the next shot?
Algebraic Representation
When you solve an algebra word problem, you must first be
able to translate the conditions of the problem into an
equation involving algebraic expressions. An algebraic
expression will consist of variables (letters), numbers,
operation signs (+,-,÷,×), and grouping symbols such as
parentheses.
Algebraic Representation
Here are some common phrases that are used in algebra
word problems:

Addition can be denoted by

sum
added to
increased by
larger than
more than
Algebraic Representation

Subtraction can be denoted by

less than
subtracted from
decreased by
exceeds
shorter than
difference between
Algebraic Representation

Multiplication can be denoted by

product
times
multiplied by
twice as large
three times a number
½ of a number
Algebraic Representation

Division can be denoted by

divided by
quotient of

Equal sign can be denoted by

is
will be
is equal to
gives
Here are some examples of word statement translated into
symbols
Word Statement Symbolic Representation

Five times a number 5𝑥

Three more than a number 3+𝑥

A number decreased by 7 𝑥−7

One-half of a number 1
𝑥
𝑥
or 2
2

The square of a number 𝑥2

Four times a number minus eight 4𝑥 − 8

The cost of rope at 15 cents a foot 0.15𝑥

Nine added to twice a number 9 + 2𝑥

Here are some examples of word statement translated into
symbols
Word Statement Mathematical Sentence

Five times a number is 30. 5𝑥 = 30

Three more than a number will be 23. 3 + 𝑥 = 23

A number decreased by 7 gives -16. 𝑥 − 7 = −16

One-half of a number is 13. 1

𝑥
𝑥
= 13 or 2 = 13
2

The square of a number added by itself is 12. 𝑥 2 + x = 12

Four times a number minus eight gives 24. 4𝑥 − 8 = 24

The cost of rope at 15 cents a foot is 90. 0.15𝑥 = 90

Nine added to twice a number is 35. 9 + 2𝑥 = 35

Solving Number Problems
One number is 8 more than another number and the sum of
the two numbers is 26. Find the numbers.

26
26
𝑥 + 𝑥 + 8 = 26
2𝑥 = 26 − 8
2𝑥 = 18
𝑥=9
The two numbers are 9 and 17
Solving Number Problems
Find three consecutive integers whose sum is 63.
1
1 1

63

𝑥 + 𝑥 + 1 + 𝑥 + 2 = 63
3𝑥 + 3 = 63
3𝑥 = 63 − 3
3𝑥 = 60
𝑥 = 20
The three consecutive integers are 20, 21, and 22.
Solving Number Problems
If the sum of two consecutive even integers is 42, find the
numbers.

42
𝑥 + 𝑥 + 2 = 42
2𝑥 + 2 = 42
2𝑥 = 42 − 2
2𝑥 = 40
𝑥 = 20
The two consecutive EVEN integers are 20 and 22.
Solving DIGIT Problems

Hundreds Tens (10) Ones (1)

(100)
2 7 5
Digit sums = 2 + 5 + 7 = 14
Value= 2(100) + 7(10) + 5(1) = 275
Solving DIGIT Problems
The sum of the digits of a two-digit number is 15. If the
digits are reversed, the new number is 9 more than the
original number. Find the two digit number.
Tens (10) Ones (1) Value
Tens (10) Ones (1) Value
Original 𝒙=7 𝟏𝟓 − 𝒙=8 𝟏𝟎𝒙 + 𝟏𝟓 − 𝒙 = 𝟕𝟖
Original 𝒙 𝟏𝟓 − 𝒙 𝟏𝟎𝒙 + (𝟏𝟓 − 𝒙)
Reversed (new) 𝟏𝟓 − 𝒙=8 𝒙=𝟕 𝟏𝟎 𝟏𝟓 − 𝒙 + 𝒙 = 𝟖𝟕
Reversed (new) 𝟏𝟓 − 𝒙 𝒙 𝟏𝟎(𝟏𝟓 − 𝒙) + 𝒙
𝑁𝑒𝑤 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 = 9 + 𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙
(15 − 𝑥) 10 + 𝑥(1) = 9 + 𝑥 10 + 15 − 𝑥 1
150 − 10𝑥 + 𝑥 = 9 + 10𝑥 + 15 − 𝑥
−9𝑥 + 150 = 9𝑥 + 24
−9𝑥 − 9𝑥 = 24 − 150
−18𝑥 = −126
𝑥=7
The two-digit number is 78.
Solving DIGIT Problems
The one’s digit of a two-digit number is twice the ten’s digit.
The sum of the digits of the number is 12. Find the number.
Tens (10) Ones (1)
x=4
x 2x=8
2x
4 8

𝑥 + 2𝑥 = 12
3𝑥 = 12
𝑥=4
The two-digit number is 48.
Solving DIGIT Problems
In a three-digit number, the one’s digit is three more than the
hundred’s digit, and the ten’s digit is one more than the
hundred’s digit. If the sum of the three digits is 10, find the
number.
Hundreds Tens (10) Ones (1)
(100)
x=2
x x+1=3
x+1 x+3=5
x+3
2 3 5

𝑥 + 𝑥 + 1 + 𝑥 + 3 = 10
3𝑥 + 4 = 10
3𝑥 = 10 − 4
3𝑥 = 6
𝑥=2
The three-digit number is 235.
Solving Age Problems
A mother is ten times as old as her daughter; in 24 years,
she will be twice as old as her daughter. Find their present
ages.
Person Past Past Present Present Future
Future
(24 years)
(24 years)
Mother 10x=30 10x 10x+24=54
10x+24
Daughter x=3 x x+24=27
x+24

10𝑥 + 24 = 2(𝑥 + 24)

10𝑥 + 24 = 2𝑥 + 48
10𝑥 − 2𝑥 = 48 − 24
8𝑥 = 24
𝑥=3
The mother is 30 years old, while her daughter is 3 years
old.
Solving Age Problems
Bill is 8 years older than his brother. In 3 years, Bill will be
twice as old as his brother. Find their present ages.
Person Past Present Future
Person Past Present (3 years)
Future
Bill 8+x=13 (38+x+3=1
years)
Bill 8+x 6
8+x+3
Bill’s
Bill’sBrother
Brother x=5
x x+3=8
x+3

8 + 𝑥 + 3 = 2(𝑥 + 3)
𝑥 + 11 = 2𝑥 + 6
𝑥 − 2𝑥 = 6 − 11
−𝑥 = −5
𝑥=5
Bill is 13 years old, while his brother is 5 years old.
Solving Age Problems
Jan is 6 years older than Mary. If the sum of their ages is 32,
find each one’s age

Person Present

Jan x+6=19
x+6
Mary x=13
x
Sum of ages 32

𝑥 + 6 + 𝑥 = 32
2𝑥 + 6 = 32
2𝑥 = 26
𝑥 = 13
Jan is 19 years old while Mary is 13 years old.
Solving Distance Problems (R×T=D)
A person walked from his home to the football stadium at a
rate of 3 miles per hour. After the game, he rode the bus back
the same way at a rate of 22 miles per hour. If the total time
he spent traveling was 2 hours, how far did he walk?
Rate Time Distance
3(2 − 𝑥) = 22𝑥
From 3 mph 2-x 3(2-x) 6 − 3𝑥 = 22𝑥
House to
Stadium 6 = 25𝑥
From 22 mph x 22x 6
stadium to =𝑥
25
the house
𝑥 = 0.24 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠
Total 2 hours
𝐷 = 3 2 − 0.24
𝐷 = 5.28 𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑠
The person walked for 5.28 miles which is also
the distance from his house to the stadium
Solving Distance Problems (R×T=D)
A freight train leaves Pittsburgh traveling east at 15 miles per
hour. Four hours later, an AMTRAK train leaves Pittsburgh
traveling east at 35 miles per hour. How many miles from
Pittsburgh will the AMTRAK overtake the freight train?
Rate Time Distance
15 𝑥 + 4 = 35𝑥
Freight 15 mph x+4 15(x+4)
Train
15𝑥 + 60 = 35𝑥
15𝑥 − 35𝑥 = −60
AMTRAK 35 mph x 35x
−20𝑥 = −60
𝑥 = 3 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠
𝐷 = 3 ⋅ 35 = 105 𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑠

The Amtrak will overtake the freight train 105 miles from
Pittsburg
Solving Distance Problems (R×T=D)
Two automobiles are leaving from the same point and are
traveling in opposite directions. One is going 10 miles per
hour faster than the other is. After traveling two hours, they
are 160 miles apart. How fast is each automobile traveling?
Rate Time Distance
2𝑥 + 2 𝑥 + 10 = 160
A X mph 2 2x
2𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 20 = 160
4𝑥 = 160 − 20
B X+10 mph 2 2(x+10)
4𝑥 = 140
𝑥 = 35
Total 160
miles 𝑥 = 35𝑚𝑝ℎ

Car A is travelling at 35 mph while car B travels at 45 mph.

Solving Mixture Problems

Mixture 1 Mixture 2 Mixture 3

𝐴𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 × 𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 = 𝐴𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑃𝑢𝑟𝑒.

Mixture Amount Percent Amount of Pure

Mixture 1

Mixture 2

Mixture 3
Solving Mixture Problems
A pharmacist has two bottles of alcohol; one bottle contains a
10% solution of alcohol and the other bottle contains a 5%
solution of alcohol. How much of each should be mixed to get
20 ounces of a solution which is 8% alcohol?

10% 5%
Solution Mixture 3
Solution

𝐴𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 × 𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 = 𝐴𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑃𝑢𝑟𝑒.

Mixture Amount Percent Amount of Pure

10% Solution 𝑥 0.10 0.10𝑥

5% Solution 20 − 𝑥 0.05 0.05(20 − 𝑥)

8% Solution 20 ounces 0.08 0.08(20)

Solving Mixture Problems

10% 5%
Solution Mixture 3
Solution

𝐴𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 × 𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 = 𝐴𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑃𝑢𝑟𝑒.

Mixture Amount Percent Amount of Pure

10% Solution 𝑥 0.10 0.10𝑥

5% Solution 20 − 𝑥 0.05 0.05(20 − 𝑥)

8% Solution 20 ounces 0.08 0.08(20)

0.10𝑥 + 0.05 20 − 𝑥 = 0.08 20

10𝑥 + 5 20 − 𝑥 = 8 20
10𝑥 + 100 − 5𝑥 = 160 The pharmacist must mix 12
5𝑥 + 100 = 160 ounces of 10% Solution with 8
5𝑥 = 160 − 100
5𝑥 = 60 ounces of 5% solution
𝑥 = 12
Solving Mixture Problems
A craftsperson has two alloys of silver. The first one is 70%
pure silver and the second one is 50% silver. How many
ounces of each must be mixed to have 12 ounces of an alloy
which is 65% silver?
Mixture Amount Percent Amount of Pure

70% pure 𝑥 0.70 0.70𝑥

50% pure 12 − 𝑥 0.50 0.50(12 − 𝑥)

65% pure 12 ounces 0.65 0.65(12)

0.70𝑥 + 0.50 12 − 𝑥 = 0.65 12

70𝑥 + 50 12 − 𝑥 = 65 12
The Craftperson must mix 9
70𝑥 + 600 − 50𝑥 = 780 ounces of 70% silver with 3
20𝑥 = 780 − 600
20𝑥 = 180
ounces of 50% silver
𝑥=9
Solving Mixture Problems
A merchant mixes some coffee costing Php40.00 a pound
with some coffee costing Php30.00 a pound. How much of
each must be used in order to make 20 pounds of mixture
costing Php37.50 per pound?
Mixture Amount Cost Value

Php 40-Coffee 𝑥 40 40𝑥

Php 30-Coffee 20 − 𝑥 30 30(20 − 𝑥)

Php 37.50-coffee 20 pounds 37.5 37.50(20)

40𝑥 + 30 20 − 𝑥 = 37.5(20)
40𝑥 + 600 − 30𝑥 = 750
The merchant must mix 15
10𝑥 = 750 − 600 pounds of Php40 coffee with 5
10𝑥 = 150
𝑥 = 15
pounds of Php30 coffee
Solving Finance Problems (Interest=Principal×Rate×Time)
A person has Php5000 to invest and decides to invest part of
it at 4% and the rest of it at 6 ½ %. If the total interest for
the year from the amounts is Php245, how much does the
person have invested at each rate?
Investment Principal (Amount) Rate Interest

Investment A 𝑥 0.04 0.04𝑥

Investment B 5000 − 𝑥 0.065 0.065(5000 − 𝑥)

Total 5000 245

0.04𝑥 + 0.065 5000 − 𝑥 = 245 The person must invest

40𝑥 + 65 5000 − 𝑥 = 245000 3200 at 4% and 1800 at
40𝑥 + 325000 − 65𝑥 = 245000
6½ % to earn a total
−25𝑥 = −80000
𝑥 = 3200 interest of Php245.
Solving Finance Problems (Interest=Principal×Rate×Time)
A person has twice as much money invested at 6% as he has
at 3%. If the total annual interest from the investments is
Php315, how much does he have invested at each rate?
Investment Principal (Amount) Rate Interest

Investment A 𝑥 0.03 0.03𝑥

Investment B 2𝑥 0.06 0.06(2𝑥)

Total 315

0.03 𝑥 + 0.06 2𝑥 = 315

3𝑥 + 6 2𝑥 = 31500 The person must invest 1200 at
3𝑥 + 12𝑥 = 31500
3% and 2400 at 6% to earn a
15𝑥 = 315000
𝑥 = 1200 total interest of Php315.
Solving Finance Problems (Interest=Principal×Rate×Time)
An investor has 3 times as much money invested at 5% as he
has invested at 2% and Php600.00 more invested at 3%
than he has invested at 2%. If the total interest from the three
investments is Php98.00, find the amounts he has invested at
each rate.
Investment Principal (Amount) Rate Interest
Investment A 3𝑥 0.05 0.05(3𝑥)
Investment B 𝑥 0.02 0.02𝑥
Investment C 𝑥 + 600 0.03 0.03(𝑥 + 600)
Total 98

0.05 3𝑥 + 0.02 𝑥 + 0.03(𝑥 + 600) = 98

5 3𝑥 + 2 𝑥 + 3 𝑥 + 600 = 9800
15𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 3(𝑥 + 600) = 9800 The person must invest 400 at 2%
20𝑥 = 9800 − 1800
20𝑥 = 8000 and 1200 at 5% and 1000 at 3%
𝑥 = 400 to earn a total interest of Php 98.
Solving Lever Problems
Solving Lever Problems
Bill weighs 120 pounds and sits on a seesaw 3 feet
from the fulcrum. Where must Mary, who weighs 96
pounds, sit to balance it?
Bill Mary
120 lbs 96 lbs

3ft
𝑊1 𝐷1 = 𝑊2 𝐷2
120 3 = 96 𝑥
360 = 96𝑥 Mary must sit 3.75 feet from the
360 fulcrum
=𝑥
96
3.75 = 𝑥
Solving Lever Problems
The fulcrum of a lever is 3 feet from the end of a 10-foot
lever. On the short end rests an 84-pound weight. How much
weight must be placed on the other end to balance the lever?

84 lbs

3ft 7 ft
𝑊1 𝐷1 = 𝑊2 𝐷2
84 3 = 𝑥 7
252 = 7𝑥 A 36-pound weight must be put on
252 the other end to balance the fulcrum
=𝑥
7
36 𝑙𝑏𝑠 = 𝑥
Solving Lever Problems
On a 16-foot seesaw Fred, weighing 80 pounds, sits on one end. Next to Fred sits Bill,
weighing 84 pounds. Bill is 4 feet from the fulcrum. On the other side at the end sits
Pete, weighing 95 pounds. Where should Sam, weighing 75 pounds, sit in order to
balance the seesaw?
Bill 84 Sam Pete
Fred 75 lbs 95 lbs
80 lbs lbs

8ft 8ft
4ft

𝑊1 𝐷1 +𝑊2 𝐷2 = 𝑊3 𝐷3 + 𝑊4 𝐷4
80 8 + 84 4 = 75 𝑥 + 95(8)
640 + 336 = 75𝑥 + 760 Sam must sit 2.88 feet from the
976 = 75𝑥 + 760 fulcrum
976 − 760 = 75𝑥
216 = 75𝑥
𝑥 = 2.88
Solving Work Problems (Rate x Time =Amount of work done)
The basic principle is that the amount of work done by one person,
machine, or pipe, plus the amount of work done by the second person,
machine, or pipe, is equal to the total amount of work done in a given
specific time. Also, the amount of work done by a single person, machine,
or pipe is equal to the rate times the time, that is,
𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 × 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 = 𝑎𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑑𝑜𝑛𝑒
The total amount of work done is always equal to 1, since the task is
100% completed.
Rate Time Amount of work done

Worker A

Worker B

Total 1
Solving Work Problems (Rate x Time =Amount of work done)
Frank can cut a lawn in 2 hours. His brother Jeff can cut the same lawn in
3 hours. How long will it take them if they cut the lawn at the same time?
Rate Time Amount of work done

Frank 1 𝑥 𝑥
2 2
Jeff 1 𝑥 𝑥
3 3
Total 1
𝑥 𝑥
+ =1
2 3 Frank and Jeff can cut the lawn
3𝑥 + 2𝑥 = 6 (multiply eq.1 by the GCD)
in 1 hour and 12 minutes
5𝑥 = 6 working together.
6
𝑥 = = 1.2 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠
5
(1.2 x 60 minutes=72 minutes)

1 hour and 12 minutes

Solving Work Problems (Rate x Time =Amount of work done)
One pipe can fill a large tank in 5 hours and a bigger pipe can fill the
same tank in 3 hours. How long will it take both pipes to fill the tank if
they are turned on at the same time?
Rate Time Amount of work done

Pipe A 1 𝑥 𝑥
5 5
Pipe B 1 𝑥 𝑥
3 3
Total 1

𝑥 𝑥
+ =1
5 3
3𝑥 + 5𝑥 = 15 (multiply eq.1 by the GCD) The tank can be filled in 1 hour,
8𝑥 = 15 52 minutes and 30 second when
15
𝑥=
8
= 1.875 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠 both pipes are turned on.
(1.875 x 60 minutes=112.5 minutes)

1 hour, 52 minutes and 30 seconds

Solving Work Problems (Rate x Time =Amount of work done)
A person can clean a small office building in 8 hours and her assistant
can clean the same building in 12 hours. If, on a certain day, the
assistant shows up two hours late and starts to work, how long will it take
both people to clean the building?
Rate Time Amount of work done

Boss 1 𝑥 𝑥
8 8
Assistant 1 𝑥−2 𝑥−2
12 12
Total 1
𝑥 𝑥−2
+ =1
8 12 The office building can be
3𝑥 + 2𝑥 − 4 = 24 (multiply eq.1 by the GCD)
5𝑥 = 28 cleaned in 5 hours and 36
28 minutes.
𝑥= = 5.6 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠
5
(5.6 x 60 minutes=336 minutes)
5 hours and 36 minutes
Next Lesson Non-Routine Problems and