3.1 Use a problem-solving strategy  (Page 6/8)

Key concepts

• Problem-Solving Strategy
  1. Read the problem. Make sure all the words and ideas are understood.
  2. Identify what we are looking for.
  3. Name what we are looking for. Choose a variable to represent that quantity.
  4. Translate into an equation. It may be helpful to restate the problem in one sentence with all the important information. Then, translate the English sentence into an algebra equation.
  5. Solve the equation using good algebra techniques.
  6. Check the answer in the problem and make sure it makes sense.
  7. Answer the question with a complete sentence.
• Consecutive Integers
  Consecutive integers are integers that immediately follow each other.
  
  $\begin{array}{cccc}\hfill n\hfill & & & 1^{\text{st}}\text{integer}\hfill \\ \hfill n+1\hfill & & & 2^{\text{nd}}\text{integer consecutive integer}\hfill \\ \hfill n+2\hfill & & & 3^{\text{rd}}\text{consecutive integer . . . etc.}\hfill \end{array}$
  
  Consecutive even integers are even integers that immediately follow one another.
  
  $\begin{array}{cccc}\hfill n\hfill & & & 1^{\text{st}}\text{integer}\hfill \\ \hfill n+2\hfill & & & 2^{\text{nd}}\text{integer consecutive integer}\hfill \\ \hfill n+4\hfill & & & 3^{\text{rd}}\text{consecutive integer . . . etc.}\hfill \end{array}$
  
  Consecutive odd integers are odd integers that immediately follow one another.
  
  $\begin{array}{cccc}\hfill n\hfill & & & 1^{\text{st}}\text{integer}\hfill \\ \hfill n+2\hfill & & & 2^{\text{nd}}\text{integer consecutive integer}\hfill \\ \hfill n+4\hfill & & & 3^{\text{rd}}\text{consecutive integer . . . etc.}\hfill \end{array}$

Practice makes perfect

Use the Approach Word Problems with a Positive Attitude

In the following exercises, prepare the lists described.

Use a Problem-Solving Strategy for Word Problems

In the following exercises, solve using the problem solving strategy for word problems. Remember to write a complete sentence to answer each question.