Worry Problems - MaxLearning.Net

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Word-story problems cause more grief to students--and teachers--than almost any other type. The problem with word problems is that they're written in words! Words can have multiple meanings and be quite vague compared to exact math symbols. But once you learn their secrets, solving word problems can be as fun as solving any puzzle. And in a practical sense, solving real-life problems is what math is all about!
Topic	Text	Video
Worry Problems Slides Translate words to math, convert units of measure, solve 2 equations with 2 unknowns, and discover cool techniques to solve percent and rate problems. These Slides are suitable for short lessons and classroom projection.	8 pages
Word Problems from Algebra Antics Book Variety of Freeform, Geometric, Travel, Financial, Work, Mixture, and Conversion problems. Worked-out examples and solution strategies. Problems to solve. Answer Key. Extracted from Algebra Antics (p.61-78)	19 pages
Solution Strategies
I.D.E.A.S. * Identify, Draw, Equate, Acquire, Solve to take the worry out of word-story problems! * Organize IDEAS into a solution structure. * Test for Reasonableness: TRash check your answers.	3 pages
Words to Math English and Math are like foreign languages. To create freeform equations, you must translate often imprecise words into precise math symbols.	5 pages
Unit Analysis Set up problems so they'll yield the requested unit of measure. * What am I solving for? * Which unit of measure goes in the Numerator? * Which unit of measure goes in the Denominator?	3 pages
Problem Analysis Determine if you've been given enough information to solve a problem. Analyze proportional relationships between variables. * Equations and Unknowns (1EqUnk, 2Eq2Unk...) * Direct vs. Inverse Proportionality	3 pages
Problem Types * Freeform: You create equations from the words in the problem. * Standard: You use predefined equations for Proportion, Conversion, Rate, Percent, & Blended-Unit problems. (Solutions for sample problems will appear in the following lessons.)	6 pages
Freeform Problems Create equations by converting words to math.
* Generic Freeform Problems * Age Problems: Find relative ages of people. * Numerical Problems: Find numbers, digits, digit-values.
Proportion Problems: Q/K = q/k [kwik-kwik] Compare ratios of related items.
Q = q Quantity = quantity K k Kwantity kwantity * Q/K=q/k is the parent of Conversion, Q=RK, and Q=PK problems. * Use Q/K = q/k [kwik-kwik] for 2 items. * Use Q/K = q/uac/k [kwik-kwak] for 3 or more items.	5 pages
Conversion Problems Convert one unit of measure to a related unit of measure.
* Q/K=q/k Conversion * Conversion Twin Magic Hat Trick * Conversion Twin Stack Attack * Conversion Twin Chain	3 pages
Rate Problems: Q=RK [kyu-raak] Compare items whose ratio forms a third item.
Travel * Distance = Rate ● Time [D=RT dirt] * Average Rate; Catch Up; Meet in Between; Move Apart. * Distance = Mileage ● Volume [D=MV]
Work * Work = Rate ● Time [W=RT wort] * Work₁ + Work₂ = Work_total * Wage = Rate ● Time
Cost * Cost = Price/unit ● Number [C=PN coupon] * Cost₁ + Cost₂ = Cost_mix
Percent Problems: Q=PK [kyu-pik] Compare items where one is part of another.
Percent-Of Problems where one quantity is a percent of another. [Q=PK kyu-pik] * What is 20% of 400?; 80 is what percent of 400?; 80 is 20% of what? Problems where percent is greater than 100. [Q=K+PK kwik-pik] * What is 120% of 400?; 480 is what percent of 400?; 480 is 120% of what?	5 pages
Interest * Interest = Rate ● Principal ● time [I=RPt I reaped]
Mixture * Volume = Amount ● Total [V=AT vat] * Volume₁+ Volume₂ = Volume_mix
Markup / Discount / Change * New = Old + Markup ● Old [N=O+MO noh-moh] * New = Old – Discount ● Old [N=O-DO noh-doh] * Percent Change = (New – Old) / Old [P=(N-O)/O pih-noh-kee-oh]
Blended-Unit Problems: Q=Kk [kyu-kik] Compare items whose product forms a third item.
* Quantity = Kwantity ● kwantity * Q_UNIT-unit = K_U_NIT ● k_unit * Examples: worker-time, person-time, kilowatt-hours, foot-pounds