Word problems with equations
Last updated: 13 Oct 2008
We will begin with an example of a word problem and then look at how to use equations to solve it
Carl has twice as much money invested in stocks as in bonds. Stocks earn 10% interest per year and bonds 5% per year.
If Carl earned a total of $800 dollars from his stocks and bonds last year how much money did he have invested in stocks?
- $9,600
- $8,000
- $6,400
- $4,000
- $3,200
If you feel brave you can have a go at it now.
My advice would be to follow these guidelines.
- Summarize
- Write equations, which contain the information given to you in the question.
- Use sensible variable names for example the first letter of the thing that the variable represents.
- Identify answer i.e. write down exactly what you are looking for.
- Solve
- Find the solution for the equstions you have written down.
Now lets work through the question together and see how you have done.
6400