Math Word Problems Demystified - A Self Teaching Guide

IMPLEMENTATION: Subtract 2 from 13 to get 11. Add 3 to 11 to get 14.
Hence, the next two numbers should be 11 and 14.

EVALUATION: In order to check the answers, you need to see if the
‘‘subtract 2, add 3’’ solution works for all the numbers in the sequence, so
start with 10.

10 
 2 ¼ 8

8 þ 3 ¼ 11

11
2 ¼ 9

9 þ 3 ¼ 12

12
2 ¼ 10

10 þ 3 ¼ 13

13
2 ¼ 11

11 þ 3 ¼ 14

Voila!You have found the solution! Now let’s try another one.

EXAMPLE:Find the next two numbers in the sequence

1 2 4 7 11 16 22 29 _____ _____

SOLUTION:

GOAL: You are asked to find the next two numbers in the sequence.

STRATEGY: Again we will use ‘‘find a pattern.’’ Now ask yourself, ‘‘What
is being done to the first number to get the second one?’’ Here we are adding

1. Does adding one to the second number 2 give us the third number 4? No.
   You must add 2 to the second number to get the third number 4. How do we
   get from the third number to the fourth number? Add 3. Let’s apply the
   strategy.

LESSON 1 Introduction 3