Begin with the amount of fabric she had left (6^12 yd) and work
backward. Subtract the extra amount she bought and add the
amounts she used to find the amount of fabric, m, on the bolt.
6 ^12 yd 1 ^18 yd 2 ^38 yd 4 ^34 yd m
left bought used used amount on bolt
Begin with the first amount and compute by working forward:
12 ^12 yd 4 ^34 yd 2 ^38 yd 1 ^18 yd 6 ^12 yd
Visualize yourself in the problem above as you reread it.
List the facts and the question.
Facts: She used 4^34 yd and 2^38 yd.
She bought 1
1
8
yd more.
She had 6
1
2
yd left.
Question:How much fabric was on the bolt she bought?
Mrs. Kline bought a bolt of fabric. She used 4^34 yd
to make a dress and 2^38 yd for a jacket. After buying
1 ^18 yd more, she had 6^12 yd left to make two pairs
of pants. How much fabric was on the bolt she bought?
Problem-Solving Strategy:
Work Backward
7-10
Add or subtract in order from left to right.
6
1
2 yd ^1
1
8 yd ^2
3
8 yd ^4
3
4 yd m
5 ^38 yd 2 ^38 yd 4 ^34 yd m
7 ^34 yd 4 ^34 yd m
12 ^24 yd 12 ^12 yd
There was 12^12 yd of fabric on the bolt.
Think
6 ^48 1 ^18 5 ^38
Think
7 ^6
8
7 ^3
4
Think
11 ^64 12 ^24 12 ^12
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