Math Word Problems Demystified - A Self Teaching Guide

31 x

3

¼

30

3

x¼10 hours

Hence it will take 10 hours to fill the pool.

EVALUATION: Check the equation:

x

6

x

15

¼ 1

x¼ 10

10

6

10

15

¼ 1

1 : 67
0 : 67 ¼ 1

1 ¼ 1

EXAMPLE:Mary can do a job in 80 minutes. Working with Jane, both can
do the job in 30 minutes. How long will it take Jane to do the job alone?

SOLUTION:

GOAL: You are being asked to find the time in minutes it takes for Jane to
complete the job alone.

STRATEGY: Letx¼the time it takes Jane to complete the job.

Rate  Time ¼ Amount of work done

Mary^1

80

30 30

80

Jane^1

x

30 30

x

The equation is

30

80

þ

30

x

¼ 1

LESSON 17 Solving Work Problems 187