ALGEBRA: Word Problems?
Can someone explain a simple way write out and do Word Problems (i.e. word associations, etc.). These have always been a pain for me. Here is an example of a problem:
Find the cost per ounce of a mixture of 200 oz of a cologne that costs $5.50 per ounce and 500 oz of a cologne that costs $2.00 per ounce.
Thank you.
Comments
well you have 200oz of $5.50/oz so in total that costs 200*5.5=$1100. now the same of the other one, 500*2=$1000. so you have 700 oz that costs a total of $2100 so... 2100/700=$3.00/oz.
I don't know if there is a good method for all of these kind of problems, but to take it slowly and look at what they're asking for, then ask yourself how to solve it.
In the example, you know that part of the mixture (200 oz) cost $5.50/oz, or $1100. The other part (500 oz.) cost $2/oz, or $1000 total. So, the total of 700 oz. costs $2100 ($1100 + $1000). Right?
So, just divide $2100 by 700 and you get the cost per oz of $3.
You could make a triangle to help remember the method:
(Note: Yahoo isn't printing this right, so just remember to put TC at the TOP center, TO bottom left side, and CPO bottom right side):
TC (total cost)
TO (ttl oz) X CPO (cost per oz)
TC=TO x CPO
and
CPO= TC/TO
and
TO=TC/CPO
The same kind of triangle can be used for Rate.Time, Distance problems too!
D=R*T or
D
R T
Then you know that
R=D/T
and
T=D/R
Set things up in a triangle like this and it's easier to solve for one of the variables.
Another example in electronics is for Ohm's Law, whereby
E=I*R
The triangle would be:
E
I R
You can see easily that
E=I x R
and
I=E/R
and
R=E/I
Good luck!
Remember - the seller would like to get as much as he would if he sold them separtely.
200*5.50 + 500*2.00 = 700* x x is cost/oz of mixture
I hope that helps you.
200oz+500oz=700oz
=>$5.50+$2.00=$7.50
If 700oz=$7.50
Then 1oz=$7.50/700oz
=$0.01
what is the question