MAT 070-Algebra I-Word Problems

Read and translate

Comparisons
Fixed rate and variable rate

Objectives
a Read and translate word problems.
b Solve problems involving comparisons.
c Solve fixed rate + variable rate word problems.

a Reading and translating word problems

Students taking Algebra frequently complain that the course would be easier if it
were only in English. Yet the minute they encounter a word problem, they
complain that it would be easier if they had an equation to solve. Reading Math is
not like reading a Science Fiction novel. It is more like learning a foreign
language.

There are certain “key” words that are used for mathematical meanings.

Addition ( ) English Words English Phrases Algebraic

Translation
sum The sum of a
x 4
number and 4
more than 4 more than a x 4
number
increased A number x 4
increased by 4
greater than 4 greater than a
x 4
number
plus A number plus 4 x 4

added to A number added x 4

to 4

1
2 MAT 070-Word Problems: Read/Translate; Comparisons; Fixed Rate & Variable Rate

Subtraction ( ) English Words English Phrases Algebraic

Translation
The difference
difference between a number x 4
and 4
less than 4 less than a
x 4
number
decreased A number
x 4
decreased by 4
fewer than 4 fewer than a
x 4
number
minus A number minus 4 x 4

subtracted 4 subtracted from

x 4
a number
less A number less 4 x 4

Multiplication English Words English Phrases Algebraic

( or ) Translation
product The product of a 4x
number and 4
times 4 times a number 4x

of 4 of a number 4x

Division ( ) English Words English Phrases Algebraic

Translation
A number divided x
divided by by 4 4
quotient The quotient of a x
number and 4 4

English Words English Phrases Algebraic

Equals ( )
Translation
is (or was, will be) A number plus 4 x 4 6
is 6.
equals A number plus 9
x 9 15
equals 15
 Objective a: Reading and translating word problems 3
There are a couple of special words that you also need to remember. Double or
twice a number means 2x, and triple or thrice a number means 3x.

Example 1: Use the tables above to translate the following English phrases into
algebraic expressions. Let x the unknown number.

A) 5 more than a number.

Solution:  5 more

than
 a
 number
 

 5 x

So the algebraic expression is: 5 x (or x 5 ).

B) half of the number.

Solution: half
 of  the
number

1
x
 2
1 x
So the algebraic expression is: x (or ).
2 2
C) 8 more than a number.
Solution: 8more
 than
  a
 number


8
 x

So the algebraic expression is: 8 x (or x 8 ).

Practice Problem 1: Use the tables above to translate the following English
phrases into algebraic expressions. Again let x the unknown number.

A) a number increased by 7.
B) one-third of a number.
C) a number times 9.

The solution to this Practice Problem may be found starting on page 24.

Addition and multiplication are commutative. This means that the order in which
the terms are written doesn’t matter. For example, 2 3 is the same as 3 2 .
Likewise, 2 x is the same as x 2 .
4 MAT 070-Word Problems: Read/Translate; Comparisons; Fixed Rate & Variable Rate

However, subtraction and division are NOT commutative. So the order in which
the terms are written does matter. For example, 5 3 is not the same as 3 5 .
Likewise, this also means that 2 x is not the same as x 2 . It is because of this
that subtraction and division pose a particular problem for beginning Algebra
students. Consider the examples below.

Example 2: Use the tables above to translate the following English phrases into
algebraic expressions. Let x the unknown number.
A) a number subtract 10.
Solution: a 
number
 subtract
 

 10
  So, the algebraic expression is:
 x 10
x 10

B) 10 subtracted from a number.

Solution: 10 subtracted from a number.

We need to be careful of the order in which the terms are subtracted, since
10 is being subtracted from the number.

So, the algebraic expression is: x 10

C) 10 less than a number

Solution: 10 less than a number.

We need to be careful of the order in which the terms are subtracted since
we have 10 less than a number.

So, the algebraic expression is: x 10

D) a number divided by 6.
Solution: In algebra, a fraction bar is usually used to indicate division. So
we can view the word expression as:
x

 
a number
divided by
 6
x
So the algebraic expression is:
6
 Objective a: Reading and translating word problems 5
E) 6 divided by a number.
Solution: In Algebra, a fraction bar is usually used to indicate division. So
we can view the word expression as:
6
divided by
a
number
 

 x
6
So the algebraic expression is:
x

Practice Problem 2: Use the tables above to translate the following English
phrases into algebraic expressions.

A) A number subtract 15
B) A number subtracted from 15
C) 15 less than a number
D) 15 divided by a number

The solution to this Practice Problem may be found starting on page 24.

The examples above use English to describe a single algebraic operation. It is

possible to use English to describe more than one algebraic operation. Consider
the examples below.

Example 3: Use the tables above to translate the following English phrases into
algebraic expressions.

A) Triple a number plus 5.

Solution: triple a number plus 5
   

 3 x 5

So, the algebraic expression is: 3x 5

B) A number divided by 4 plus 3.

Solution: a
number divided by 4 plus

   
 
3
x
3
 4
x
So the algebraic expression is: 3
4
6 MAT 070-Word Problems: Read/Translate; Comparisons; Fixed Rate & Variable Rate

C) 1 of a number minus 3.
2

Solution: 12 of a 
number
 minus
 3
    


1 x 3
2

So the algebraic expression is: 12 x 3

D) 5 times a number plus 11.

Solution:  5 times a number plus 11

    
 
5 x 11

So the algebraic expression is: 5x 11 .

E) 5 times the sum of a number and 11.

Solution: 5 times

 the sum
 of a number and 11
 mult iplicat ion addit ion

We must be careful to show that 5 multiplies the sum of a number and 11.
We will use parentheses to show this.

5 times
  the
 sum
 of
 a
number
 and
 11
 


5
 (x 11)

So, the algebraic expression is: 5(x 11) .

NOTE: This is not the same answer as 3 D). Here, we are multiplying the
quantity x 11 by the number 5. In 3 D), only the number, x, is being
multiplied by 5 to get 5x 11 .
Practice Problem 3: Use the tables above to translate the following English
phrases into algebraic expressions.
A) double a number added to 15.
B) one-fifth a number plus 17.
C) 6 times a number is taken from 12.
D) 1.2 times a number plus 1
E) 1.2 times the sum of a number and 1.

The solution to this Practice Problem may be found starting on page 25.
 Objective a: Reading and translating word problems 7
Example 4: Write the following English statement as an algebraic expression. Let
x be the unknown number.

Three times a number increased by four is subtracted from two times the same
number.

Solution:
The first part of the statement, “three times a number increased by four” can be
written as
three
 times
  a
  number
  is
  increased

 by
 4
 
 3x 4
or 3x 4.

Now, this entire quantity 3x 4 needs to be subtracted from “two times the
same number”. Since we can express “two times the same number” as 2x, this
gives us
2x (3x 4)

NOTE: The parentheses are required here, since the entire quantity 3x 4 (not
just 3x) is being subtracted from 2x. 2x 3x 4 would be wrong.

Practice Problem 4: Write the following English statement as an algebraic

expression:

Five times a number increased by four is divided by six times the same number.

The solution to this Practice Problem may be found starting on page 26.
8 MAT 070-Word Problems: Read/Translate; Comparisons; Fixed Rate & Variable Rate

Example 5: Let x be the amount of money Ann has. Write an algebraic expression
for each of the following. NOTE: Just write an algebraic expression. There is
nothing to solve.

A) Marco has $6 less than Ann has.

Solution: Marco has $6 less
than
  Ann
  has


 subtraction x

We need to be careful of the order in which the terms are subtracted since
Marco has $6 less than Ann has.
So, the algebraic expression is: x 6 . (NOTE: 6 x is not correct.)

B) Olivio has 3 times as much money as Ann.

Solution: Olivia has 3 times as much money as Ann has
    

 
 

 3 x
So, the algebraic expression is: 3x.

C) Franchesca has $5 more than Ann.

Solution: Franchesca has $5
 more

 than
  Ann
 has
 

 5 x

So, the algebraic expression is 5 x (or x 5 ).

Practice Problem 5: Let x the number miles Harriet drove. Write an algebraic
expression for each of the following. NOTE: Just write an algebraic expression.
There is nothing to solve.

A) Marie drove twice as far as Harriet drove.

B) Ozzie drove 12 miles less than Harriet drove.
C) Felix drove 17 miles more than Harriet drove.

The solution to this Practice Problem may be found starting on page 26.
 Objective b: Comparisons 9

b Comparisons
When encountering a word problem, there are times when we will actually be
looking for more than one item, but each of the items will be related in some way.
For example, the length of the back yard is four times the width. We don’t know
what the length or width is, but the length is defined in terms of the width. Such
problems are sometimes called comparison problems.

Example 6: Corey wants to fence in a rectangular region to be used as a dog run.

The length of the rectangle is to be 4 times the width. If the perimeter of the
rectangle is 180 feet, what are the dimensions of the pen?

Solution:
Step 1: Identify what you are looking for. Since the question asked, “what are
the dimensions of the pen”, we are actually looking for two things, the length
and the width. We know that the length is 4 times the width, but we know
nothing about the width. Therefore,

let x width.

Since the length is “4 times the width”, then

let 4x length.

Step 2: Write an equation that describes the information given in the question.
This requires us to establish a relationship between the sides of the rectangle
and its perimeter. By definition, the perimeter of a figure equals the sum of the
sides. When solving problems that involve geometry, it is frequently helpful to
draw a diagram that describes the situation. Therefore by looking at the figure
below:

and since, in words: width length width length perimeter,

we have the equation: x 4x x 4x 180 feet
10 MAT 070-Word Problems: Read/Translate; Comparisons; Fixed Rate & Variable Rate

Step 3: Solve the equation found in Step 2:

x 4x x 4x 180 • Original problem

10x 180 • Combine like terms
10x 180
10 10 • Divide both sides by 10
x 18

Step 4: Answer the question asked in the problem: “What are the dimensions
of the pen?”

From Step 1: width x length 4x

18 feet 4(18)
72 feet

The width of the dog pen 18 feet and the length of the dog pen is 72 feet.

Practice Problem 6A: Fill in the steps necessary to solve the problem below.

Paul wants to fence in his garden to prevent this dog from digging it up. He has 66
meters of fencing. If Paul wants the length of the garden to be twice the width,
what will the dimensions of the garden be? Assume Paul wants to use all 66
meters of fencing.
Solution:
Step 1: Identify what you are looking for.

Let x _________________________________
Let 2x ________________________________

Step 2: Write the equation. Draw and label a picture first.

words: ______ ______ ______ ______ perimeter,

algebra: ______ ______ ______ ______ 66 meters
 Objective b: Comparisons 11
Step 3: Solve the equation found in step 2.

x __________

Step 4: Answer the question given in the problem: “What will the dimensions of
the garden be?” Don’t forget to include the units (in this case meters) in your final
answer.
width __________ meters
length __________ meters

The solution to this Practice Problem may be found starting on page 27.

Practice Problem 6B: Amanda wants to put a decorative border around her
kitchen. Her kitchen is rectangular in shape and although she does not remember
the exact dimensions, she does remember that the width of the kitchen is 5 feet
more than the length. If the perimeter of the kitchen is 70 feet, find the dimensions
of her kitchen.

The solution to this Practice Problem may be found starting on page 28.

Not all comparison problems involve geometry, but they are all solved in the same
general manner.

Example 7: The Nguyen family is taking a trip from Boston to Cleveland to watch
Pedro pitch against the Indians. The distance between Boston MA and
Cleveland OH is 552 miles. To minimize the sibling rivalry, they are going to
make the trip over two days. The first part of the journey will be 100 miles
longer than the second part. How far will the Nguyen family travel on each
day?

Solution: Although this problem does not involve geometry, it is solved using
the same steps.

Step 1: Identify what you are looking for. The problem states that the first part
of the journey will be 100 miles longer than the second part. Since there is no
information about the second part, that will be x.
12 MAT 070-Word Problems: Read/Translate; Comparisons; Fixed Rate & Variable Rate

Let x the number of miles traveled on the second day.

Let x 100 the number of miles traveled on the first day.

Step 2: Write the equation.

words: first day’ s driving + second day’s driving = total trip
algebra: x 100 x 552 miles

Step 3: Solve the equation found in Step 2.

x 100 x 552 • Original equation

2 x 100 552 • Combine like terms
2 x 100 100 552 100
• Subtract 100 from both sides of the
2x 452 equation
2x 452
• Divide both sides by 2
2 2
x 226 miles

Step 4: Answer the question given in the problem: “How far will the Nguyen
family travel each day?”

First day: miles traveled x 100 (from Step 1)

226 100 326 miles

Second day: miles traveled x (from Step 1)

226 miles

Practice Problem 7A: Fill in the steps necessary to solve the problem below.

The Jones family is taking a trip from Seattle, WA to San Diego, CA over the
course of 3 days. They plan on traveling 200 miles more on the second day than
they will on the first day. They will travel 75 miles less on the third day than they
will on the first day. To total distance of the trip is 1058 miles. How many miles
will they travel each day?
 Objective b: Comparisons 13
Solution:
Step 1: Identify the unknowns.

Let x The number of miles traveled on day 1.

Let The number of miles traveled on day 2.
Let The number of miles traveled on day 3.
Step 2: Write the equation.
words: Day 1 + Day 2 Day 3 Total number of miles
algebra: _____ _____ _____ 1058 miles

Step 3: Solve the equation found in Step 2.

x __________
Step 4: Answer the question given in the problem: “How many miles will they
travel each day?”
Day 1 ______ miles
Day 2 ______ miles
Day 3 = ______ miles

The solution to this Practice Problem may be found starting on page 29.

Practice Problem 7B: Ken and Donna are driving from Baltimore, MD to
Richmond, VA for a wedding. The total distance they must drive is 131 miles.
Since the reception is late, they decided to get a bite to eat along the way. They
want the first part of the trip to be 65 miles more than the second part. How many
miles will they drive before they stop?

The solution to this Practice Problem may be found starting on page 30.

Example 8: Edgar needed to cut a piece of wood into two smaller segments. The
shorter piece was 1 yard longer than half the longer piece. If the length of the
entire piece of wood was 7 yards, what is the length of each piece? (solution
begins on the next page)
14 MAT 070-Word Problems: Read/Translate; Comparisons; Fixed Rate & Variable Rate

Solution to Example 8:
Step 1: Identify what you are looking for. The question states that the length of
the short piece is 1 yard longer than half of the long piece. Since the long piece
is completely unknown,

Let x the length of the long piece

1
Let x 1 the length of the short piece.
2

Step 2: Write the equation.

words: long piece short piece total piece

1
algebra: x x 1 7 yds.
2

Step 3: Solve the equation.

1
x x 1 7 yds.
2
1
2 x x 1 2 7 • Multiply both sides by 2 to clear the
2
fractions.
1 1
2x 2 x 2 1 2 7 • Distribute the 2. Cancel.
21
2x x 2 14 • Multiply.
3x 2 14 • Combine like terms.
3x 2 2 14 2
• Subtract 2 from both sides.
3 x 12
• Divide both sides by 3.
x 4

Step 4: Answer the question given in the problem: “What is the length of each
piece?”
1
From Step 1: long piece x short piece x 1
2
4 yards
1
4 1
2
1 4
1
2 1
2 1 3 yards
 Objective b: Comparisons 15
Therefore the length of the long piece is 4 yards and the length of the short
piece is 3 yards

Practice Problem 8: JoAnn needs to cut a piece of fabric into two strips. The
longer piece needs to be 4 yards longer than twice the shorter piece. If the length
of the entire piece of fabric is 10 yards, what is the length of each piece?

The solution to this Practice Problem may be found starting on page 31.
16 MAT 070-Word Problems: Read/Translate; Comparisons; Fixed Rate & Variable Rate

c Fixed Rate + Variable Rate = Total Rate

In business there are times when you have fixed monthly expenditures (like rent)
and variable expenditures (like electricity). Such problems take on the form

TOTAL COST FIXED COST VARIABLE COST

Example 9: The Fluffy Lump Cat Toy Company rents a warehouse facility. There
is a fixed cost of $1200 a month for rent and a variable cost of $5 per box of
toys that are stored. If the total cost for this month was $1315, how many boxes
of toys are being stored?

Solution:
Step 1: Identify the unknown, the variable cost, the fixed cost and the total
cost. The unknown will be what makes the variable cost vary. Therefore we
have,

unknown: Let x the number of boxes of toys being stored.

variable cost: The variable cost is: (cost per box) (number of boxes stored)
So the variable cost is: $5 x

fixed cost: The fixed cost is the rent.

So, the fixed cost is $1200.

total cost: The total cost for the month is $1315.

Step 2: Establish the equation relating the information from Step 1. This gives
us:
total cost fixed cost variable cost
words: total cost cost of rent cost to store boxes
algebra: $1315 $1200 $5 x
 Objective c: Fixed Rate + Variable Rate = Total Rate 17
Step 3: Solve the equation.

$1315 $1200 $5x

$1200 $1200 • Subtract $1200 from both sides.
$115 $5x

$115 $5x
$5 $5 • Divide both sides by $5.
x 23

Step 4: Answer the question given in the problem: “How many boxes are being
stored?
Number of boxes being stored x
23

Therefore 23 boxes of toys were stored in the warehouse last month.

Practice Problem 9A: Fill in the steps necessary to solve the problem below.

Hartz Rental Car Company charges $19.95 per day plus $0.10 per mile to rent a
compact car. Lee rented a car for two days and the total bill was $89.75. How
many miles did she drive?

Solution:
Step 1: Identify the unknown, the variable cost, the fixed cost and the total cost.

Let x _________________________________
Variable Cost __________________________
Fixed Cost _____________________________
Total Cost _____________________________

Step 2: Write an equation relating the total cost to the fixed and variable cost.

total cost fixed cost variable cost

words: total cost daily charge mileage charge
algebra: $89.75 2($19.95) $0.10x
18 MAT 070-Word Problems: Read/Translate; Comparisons; Fixed Rate & Variable Rate

Step 3: Solve the equation established in Step 2.

x __________

Step 4: Answer the question given in the problem: “How many miles did she
drive?”
miles driven _________ miles

The solution to this Practice Problem may be found starting on page 32.

Practice Problem 9B: The DotCom Company is an Internet Service Provider that
charges $12.95 a month for 6 hours and $0.25 for each additional hour. Last
month, Katrina’s Internet bill was $21.20. How many hours was Katrina on-line
last month? HINT: Let x the number of additional hours (the hours over the
initial 6 hours). When you are done, don’t forget the original 6 hours Katrina was
on-line.

The solution to this Practice Problem may be found starting on page 33.
 Homework Problems 19

Homework Problems
Answers to the Homework Problems begin on page 35

a Reading and translating word problems

For questions 1 through 8, given the English word or phrase, identify the correct
operation (addition, subtraction, multiplication or division).

1. sum 5. more than

2. difference 6. divided by

3. of 7. increased by

4. less than 8. times

For questions 9 through 20, translate the English phrase into an algebraic
expression.

9. 3 less than a number

10. eleven more than a number

11. eight times a number

12. a number divided by four

13. a number subtract six

14. the product of 5 and a number

15. nine subtracted from a number

16. twenty-five divided by a number

17. the product of twelve and a number

18. a number subtracted from twenty

19. seven less than a number

20 MAT 070-Word Problems: Read/Translate; Comparisons; Fixed Rate & Variable Rate

20. eight more than twice a number.

21. half a number less three.

22. triple a number plus four is divided by two.

23. a number less ten is doubled.

24. seven subtracted from eight times a number.

25. one-third a number times two.

26. three times the sum of a number and 4

27. the sum of a number and 8 subtracted from 30

For questions 28 through 30, let x the distance traveled by Nick. Translate each
English phrase into an algebraic statement. If necessary, see Example 5 for help.

28. Annie drove 7 miles less than the distance traveled by Nick.

29. Wayne traveled 8 miles further than the distance traveled by Nick.

30. Karl swam seven-eighths of the distance traveled by Nick.

b Comparisons

31. The perimeter of a square patio is 48 feet. What are the dimensions of the
patio?

32. The length of a rectangle is six feet greater than the width. the perimeter is
168 feet. What are the dimensions of the rectangle?

33. The length of a rectangle is 1 yard more than twice the width. The perimeter
is 218 yards. What is the length and the width?

34. The width of a rectangle is 3 meters more than half of the length. the
perimeter is 516 meters. What is the length and the width?
 Homework Problems 21

35. The perimeter of a triangle is 35 cm. The length of the third side is twice the
length of the first side. The length of the second side is half the length of the
first side. Find the lengths of the three sides.

36. The shortest side of a triangle is 8 mm less than the length of the middle side.
The longest side of the triangle is 10 mm more than the length of the middle
side. If the perimeter of the triangle is 29 mm, find the length of each side.

37. The town of Mathville is triangular in shape and has a perimeter of 104 km.
The interstate borders the southern part of the town, but town residents want
to build two more roads, one on each side of the town. The length of one side
1 2
of the town is the length of the interstate. The length of the other side is
2 3
the length of the interstate. Determine the length of road necessary to
complete the town’s task. That is, determine the length of each of the two
sides of the town not bordered by the interstate. HINT: Draw a picture.

38. The perimeter of a trapezoid is 33 meters. The length of the left and right
sides are the same. See the figure below. If the length of the top is 6 meters
more than a side and the length of the bottom is 11 meters more than the
length of a side. Find the length of each side, the top and the bottom.

39. The perimeter of a trapezoid is 14 inches. The length of the left and right
sides are the same. If the length of the bottom is twice the length of a side and
the length of the top is 1 inch less than the length of a side. Find the length of
each side, the top and the bottom.

40. Tia flew from Logan Airport (in Boston) to SeaTac Airport (in Seattle), a
distance of approximately 2500 miles. Her flight has a layover in Pittsburgh.
The distance from Boston to Pittsburgh is about a quarter the distance
between Pittsburgh and Seattle. How far is it between cities?
22 MAT 070-Word Problems: Read/Translate; Comparisons; Fixed Rate & Variable Rate

41. The total distance flown from NY’s JFK airport to Moscow, Russia is 5015
miles. A typical flight goes from NY to Toronto, Canada, to Helsinki,
Finland, to Moscow. The distance from NY to Toronto is 347 miles. The
distance from Toronto to Helsinki is 3552 miles more than the distance from
Helsinki to Moscow. What is the distance between Toronto and Helsinki, and
what is the distance between Helsinki and Moscow? HINT: See diagram
below.

42. While planning a vacation to Europe, Cal wanted to go to Dublin, Ireland,

London, England and Paris, France. The distance from Dublin to London is
78 more miles than the distance between London and Paris. If the distance
between Dublin and Paris is 504 miles, including the stop in London, what is
the distance between London and Paris? What is the distance between Dublin
and London? HINT: Draw a diagram like the one in problem 41.

43. The only available flight from Logan Airport to Denver, Colorado must stop
in Chicago. The distance between Boston and Chicago is 55 miles less than
the distance between Chicago and Denver. The total distance flown from
Boston to Chicago to Denver is 1767 miles. Find the distance between Boston
and Chicago, and between Chicago and Denver.

44. Dan has 12 feet of rope. He plans on making 2 jump ropes. If the length of the
longer piece is 2 feet longer than the shorter piece, how long are the two jump
ropes going to be?

c Fixed Rate + Variable Rate = Total Rate

45. Zip-Plus is a company that adds bar codes to US Mail. They charge $100 for
the first 500 pieces of mail and $0.10 for each additional piece. If a
company’s total bill for bar coding was $143.20, how many pieces of mail
were bar coded?
 Homework Problems 23

46. A rookie baseball player had a clause in his contract that paid him $175,000 a
year plus $200 per hit. If his salary last season was $199,000, how many hits
did he receive last season?

47. Mr. Yang’s ISP (Internet Service Provider) charges are $10 a month for 8
hours of service plus $0.50 an hour for each hour over the initial 8 hours. If
his ISP bill last month was $18.50, how many hours did he spend on-line?

48. Schroder has a job as a piano player in a local nightclub. His salary consists
of $175 a week plus $1.50 for each paid admission. His paycheck last week
was for $340. How many paid admissions did the club have last week?

49. Brady rented a car for two days at $25 a day plus $0.15 per mile. If his total
bill came to $102.50, how many miles did Brady drive?

50. Tino pays $725 a month for rent, $40 for cable and $3.60 an hour for local
telephone service. If his total monthly expenditures last month were $826.20,
how much time did he spend on the phone?
24 MAT 070-Word Problems: Read/Translate; Comparisons; Fixed Rate & Variable Rate

Solutions to Practice Problems

Practice Problem 1: Let x be the unknown number.

A) a number increased by 7

 
 


 x 7

So, the algebraic expression is: x 7 (or 7 x)

B) one-third

  
of a
number
 

1 x
 3
1 x
So, the algebraic expression is: x (or )
3 3

C) a
number
  times
  9
 

 x 9

So, the algebraic expression is: 9x. NOTE: the numerical coefficient is
written first, the variable second.

Practice Problem 2: Let x be the unknown number.

A) a number subtract
 15
  
  
 x 15

So, the algebraic expression is: x 15 (15 x is NOT correct)

B) a number subtracted from 15

We need to be careful of the order in which the terms are subtracted since
the number is being subtracted from 15.

So, the algebraic expression is: 15 x (x 15 is NOT correct)

C) 15 less
than
  a number

 subtraction
We need to be careful of the order in which the terms are subtracted since
we have 15 less than a number.

So, the algebraic expression is: x 15 (15 x is NOT correct)

 Solutions to Practice Problems 25

D) 15 divided by a number

In Algebra, a fraction bar is usually used to indicate division. So we can

view the word expression as:
15
divided by
a
number
 

 x
15
So, the algebraic expression is:
x

Practice Problem 3: Let x be the unknown number.

A) double a number added to 


 
  15
 
 2 x 15
So, the algebraic expression is: 2x 15

B) one-fifth of a number plus 17

 
    
 

1
17
 5
1
So, the algebraic expression is: x 17
5

C) 6 times

 a number taken
from
 12
 mult iplicat ion subtraction

We need to be careful of the order in which the terms are subtracted since
six times a number is being taken from 12.

So, the algebraic expression is: 12 6x

D) 1.2 times a number plus 1

    
 
 1.2 x 1
So, the algebraic expression is: 1.2 x 1

E) 1.2 times
 the sum
 of a number and 1
multiplication addition

We must be careful to show that 1.2 multiplies the sum of a number and 1.
We will use parentheses to show this.
26 MAT 070-Word Problems: Read/Translate; Comparisons; Fixed Rate & Variable Rate

1.2 times
  the
 sum
 of a 
 number
 and
  1
 

1.2 (x 1)

So, the algebraic expression is: 1.2(x 1)

Practice Problem 4: Let x be the unknown number.

Five times a number increased by four is divided by six times the same number.

In Algebra, a fraction bar is usually used to indicate division. So we can

view the word expression as:

five times a number increased by four

is divided by
six times the same number

Now translate the numerator and the denominator:

  5x

   
 
 4

five times a number increased by four
is divided by
six times
  the
 
 same
number

 
 

 6x

5x 4
So the algebraic expression is:
6x

Practice Problem 5: Let x be the number of miles Harriet drove.

A) Marie drove twice

as far
 as
 Harriet
 
 drove
.
 2 x

So, the algebraic expression is: 2 x

B) Ozzie drove 12 miles less

than
  Harriet
 

 drove
.
 subtraction x

We need to be careful of the order in which the terms are subtracted since
Ozzie drove 12 miles less than Harriet drove.

So, the algebraic expression is: x 12

 Solutions to Practice Problems 27

C) Felix drove 17 miles


  more
 
than
 Harriet
 
 drove
.
 17 x

So, the algebraic expression is: 17 x (or x 17 )

Practice Problem 6A: Paul wants to fence in his garden to prevent this dog from
digging it up. He has 66 meters of fencing. If Paul wants the length of the garden
to be twice the width, what will the dimensions of the garden be? Assume Paul
wants to use all 66 meters of fencing.

Step 1: Identify what you are looking for.

Let x width (since width is completely unknown)

Let 2x length (from the problem: “…length of the garden is

(2widt h lengt h) twice the width…”)

Step 2: Write the equation. Draw and label a picture first.

words: width length width length perimeter,

algebra: x 2x x 2x 66 meters

Step 3: Solve the equation found in step 2.

x 2x x 2x 66
6x 66
6x 66
x 6
x 11
28 MAT 070-Word Problems: Read/Translate; Comparisons; Fixed Rate & Variable Rate

Step 4: Answer the question asked in the problem: “What will the dimensions of
the garden be?”

From Step 1: width x length 2x

11 meters 2(11)
22 meters

The width of the garden is 11 meters, and the length of the garden is 22 meters.

Practice Problem 6B: Amanda wants to put a decorative border around her
kitchen. Her kitchen is rectangular in shape and although she does not remember
the exact dimensions, she does remember that the width of the kitchen is 5 feet
more than the length. If the perimeter of the kitchen is 70 feet, find the dimensions
of her kitchen.

Step 1: Identify what you are looking for.

Let x length (since length is completely unknown)

Let x + 5 width (from the problem: “…width of the kitchen is 5

lengt h 5 width
feet more than the length…”)

Step 2: Write the equation. Draw and label a picture first.

words: width length width length perimeter,

algebra: (x 5) x (x 5) x 70 feet
 Solutions to Practice Problems 29

Step 3: Solve the equation found in step 2.

(x 5) x (x 5) x 70
x 5 x x 5 x 70
4x 10 70
4x 60
4 4
x 15

Step 4: Answer the question asked in the problem: “Find the dimension of the
kitchen.”
From Step 1: length x width x 5
15 feet 15 5
20 feet

The length of the kitchen is 15 feet and the width of the kitchen is 20 feet.

Practice Problem 7A: The Jones family is taking a trip from Seattle, WA to San
Diego, CA over the course of 3 days. They plan on traveling 200 miles more on
the second day than they will on the first day. They will travel 75 miles less on the
third day than they will on the first day. To total distance of the trip is 1058 miles.
How many miles will they travel each day?

Step 1: Identify what you are looking for.

Let x The number of miles traveled on day 1.

Let x 200 The number of miles traveled on day 2.
Let x 75 The number of miles traveled on day 3.

Step 2: Write the equation.

words: Day 1 + Day 2 Day 3 Total number of miles

algebra: x (x 200) (x 75) 1058 miles
30 MAT 070-Word Problems: Read/Translate; Comparisons; Fixed Rate & Variable Rate

Step 3: Solve the equation found in Step 2.

x (x 200) (x 75) 1058

x x 200 x 75 1058
3x 125 1058
3x 933
3x 933
3 3
x 311

Step 4: Answer the question asked in the problem: “How many miles will they
travel each day?”

From Step 1: Day 1 x Day 2 x 200 Day 3 x 75

311 miles 311 200 311 75
511 miles 236 miles

The Jones family will travel 311 miles on Day 1, 511 miles on Day 2 and 236
miles on Day 3 of their road trip.

Practice Problem 7B: Ken and Donna are driving from Baltimore, MD to
Richmond, VA for a wedding. The total distance they must drive is 131 miles.
Since the reception is late, they decided to get a bite to eat along the way. They
want the first part of the trip to be 65 miles more than the second part. How many
miles will they drive before they stop?

Step 1: Identify what you are looking for.

Let x the number of miles traveled on the second part of the trip.
Let x 65 the number of miles traveled on the first part of the trip.

Step 2: Write the equation.

words: first part second part total distance

algebra: ( x 65) x 131
 Solutions to Practice Problems 31

Step 3: Solve the equation found in Step 2.

(x 65) x 131
x 65 x 131
2x 65 131
2x 66
2x 66
2 2
x 33

Step 4: Answer the question asked in the problem “How many miles will they
drive before they stop?”

Note that the question is asking for how many miles were driven on the first part
of the trip. This quantity is not x.

From Step 1: second part x ¼rst part x 65

33 miles 33 65
98 miles

Ken and Donna will drive 98 miles before they stop.

Practice Problem 8: JoAnn needs to cut a piece of fabric into two strips. The
longer piece needs to be 4 yards longer than twice the shorter piece. If the length
of the entire piece of fabric is 10 yards, what is the length of each piece?

Step 1: Identify what you are looking for.

Let x = the shorter piece Since this is completely unknown

Let 4 2x the longer piece From the problem: “The longer piece
4 longer twice the
needs to be 4 yards longer than twice
yards than shorter piece the shorter piece.
32 MAT 070-Word Problems: Read/Translate; Comparisons; Fixed Rate & Variable Rate

Step 2: Write the equation.

words: shorter piece longer piece entire piece

algebra: x (4 2x) 10

Step 3: solve the equation found in Step 2.

x (4 2x) 10
x 4 2 x 10
3x 4 10
3x 6
3x 6
3 3
x 2

Step 4: Answer the question asked in the problem “What is the length of each
piece?”

From Step 1: shorter piece x longer piece 4 2x

2 yards 4 2(2)
4 4
8 yards

The shorter piece is 2 yards and the longer piece is 8 yards.

Practice Problem 9A: Hartz Rental Car Company charges $19.95 per day plus
$0.10 per mile to rent a compact car. Lee rented a car for two days and the total
bill was $89.75. How many miles did she drive?

Step 1: Identify the unknown, the variable cost, the fixed cost and the total cost.

unknown: Let x the number of miles driven

variable cost: The variable cost is the mileage charge:

(cost per mile) (number of miles driven)
So the variable cost is:
$0.10 x
 Solutions to Practice Problems 33

fixed cost: The fixed cost is the daily charge.

She rented the car for 2 days, so the fixed cost is:

2 ($19.95) = $39.90

total cost: The total cost for was $89.75

Step 2: Write an equation relating the total cost to the fixed cost and variable cost.

total cost fixed cost variable cost

words: total cost daily charge mileage charge
algebra: $89.75 2($19.95) $0.10x

Step 3: Solve the equation established in Step 2.

89.75 2(19.95) 0.10x

89.75 39.90 0.10x
49.85 0.10x
49.85 0.10x
0.10 0.10
498.5 x

Step 4: Answer the question asked in the problem: “How many miles did she
drive?”
From Step 1: Number of miles driven x
498.5 miles

Lee drove 498.5 miles over the two days.

Practice Problem 9B: The DotCom Company is an Internet Service Provider that
charges $12.95 a month for 6 hours and $0.25 for each additional hour. Last
month, Katrina’s Internet bill was $21.20. How many hours was Katrina on-line
last month? HINT: Let x the number of additional hours (the hours over the
initial 6 hours). When you are done, don’t forget the original 6 hours Katrina was
on-line.

(Solution begins on next page)

34 MAT 070-Word Problems: Read/Translate; Comparisons; Fixed Rate & Variable Rate

Step 1: Identify the unknown, the variable cost, the fixed cost and the total cost.

unknown: Let x the number of additional hours

(the hours over the 6 hours)

variable cost: The variable cost is the cost of the additional hours:
(cost per hour) (number of additional hours)

So the variable cost is: $0.25 x

fixed cost: The fixed cost is the monthly charge of $12.95.

total cost: The total cost for is $21.20

Step 2: Write an equation relating the total cost to the fixed cost and variable cost.

total cost fixed cost variable cost

words: total cost monthly charge cost of additional hours
algebra: $21.20 $12.95 $0.25x

Step 3: Solve the equation established in Step 2.

21.20 12.95 0.25x
8.25 0.25x
8.25 0.25x
0.25 0.25
33 x

Step 4: Answer the question asked in the problem: “How many hours was Katrina
on-line last month?”

When answering this question, remember that 6 hours of on-line time are included
in the monthly charge of $12.95.
Total hours on -line initial 6 hours additional hours
6 hours x
6 hours 33 hours
Total hours 39 hours

Katrina was on-line a total of 39 hours.

 Answers to Homework Problems 35

Answers to Homework Problems

1. Addition

2. Subtraction

3. Multiplication

4. Subtraction

5. Addition

6. Division

7. Addition

8. Multiplication

9. x 3

10. 11 x or ( x 11 )

11. 8x

x
12.
4

13. x 6

14. 5 x

15. x 9

25
16.
x

17. 12 x

18. 20 x
36 MAT 070-Word Problems: Read/Translate; Comparisons; Fixed Rate & Variable Rate

19. x 7

20. 8 2x (or 2x 8 )

1
21. x 3
2

3x 4
22.
2

23. 2(x 10)

24. 8x 7

1 2
25. 2 x or x
3 3

26. 3(x 4)

27. 30 (x 8)

28. x 7

29. 8 x (or x 8)

7
30. x
8

31. The patio is 12 ft by 12 ft.

32. Length: 45 feet. Width: 39 feet

33. Length: 73 yards. Width: 36 yards.

34. Length: 170 meters. Width: 88 meters.

35. First side 10 cm, second side 5 cm and the third side 20 cm.

36. Shortest side 1 mm, middle side 9 mm and the longest side 19 mm.
 Answers to Homework Problems 37

37. The length of the side bordering the Interstate is 48 km. The length of one
side is 24 km and the length of the other side is 32 km.

38. The side measure 4 m. The top measures 10 m and the bottom measures 15 m.

39. The sides measure 3 in. The top measures 2 in and the bottom measures 6 in.

40. The distance between Boston and Pittsburgh is about 500 miles. The distance
between Pittsburgh and Seattle is about 2000 miles.

41. The distance between New York and Toronto is 347 miles. The distance
between Toronto and Helsinki is 4110 miles. The distance between Helsinki
and Moscow is 558 miles.

42. The distance between Dublin and London is 291 miles and the distance
between London and Paris is 213 miles.

43. The distance between Boston and Chicago is 856 miles. The distance between
Chicago and Denver is 911 miles.

44. The longer jump rope is 7 feet, the shorter is 5 feet.

45. 932 total pieces of mail.

46. 120 hits

47. 25 total hours.

48. x 110 people

49. x 350 miles

50. x 17 hours