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Word Problems

Browse Middle School Algebra
Stars indicate particularly interesting answers or good places to begin browsing.

Selected answers to common questions:
    Direct and indirect variation.
    Inequalities and negative numbers.
    Positive/negative integer rules.
    Solving simple linear equations.

How Many Trains Meet? [09/17/2001]

How Many Valentines? [02/10/2003]

How Much Does the Youngest Boy Get? [05/25/2000]
Five brothers, each born in a different year, share a gift of $100...



How Old Are John and Julia? [05/17/2001]
Julia is as old as John will be when Julia is twice as old as John was when Julia's age was half the sum of their present ages. John is as old as Julia was when John was half the age he will be 10 years from now. How old are John and Julia?


Identifying Algebraic Properties [12/29/1996]


Implied Multiplication and TI Calculators [05/02/2008]



Increasing the Average [02/25/2001]

Inequalities [01/24/2001]
How do you add, subtract, multiply, and divide inequalities?

Inequalities: Add or Subtract? [10/21/2001]
Sometimes, when doing inequalities problems, I have to add or subtract one from the answer I have calculated. I don't understand when to add, subtract, or do nothing at all.

Inequalities and Absolute Value - Case Method [09/01/1998]
What is the case method? How does it apply to inequalities with absolute values?

Infinite Geometric Progression [10/02/1997]

Intercept Equation [10/07/1998]
I found a plane using the intercepts (4,0,0), (0,-5,0), and (0,0,3). Now I want an equation for those points using Ax + By + Cz = D.

Interpreting Slopes [09/14/1998]
Does the graph of each of these equations rise to the right, fall to the right, is it horizontal, or is it vertical?


Interval Notation [11/01/1997]
Solve for x and write the answer in interval notation: -3 < -x < 2 / 3.

Interval Notation for the Number Line [03/04/2009]
What does the interval [-4,10] mean on the number line? How do I graph it?

Is y the Same on Both Sides? [9/4/1996]
3/4 + y = 0.75 + y

Jack is Older than Jill [11/16/2001]

Just Plain Algebra [01/07/1998]
Do you have any advice or any programs you might recommend for learning algebra?

K-triple [9/15/1996]
Which of these is a "k-triple", defined as (k/2, k, 3/2k)?


Learning Algebra [6/3/1996]
How do you solve for: x(x+1) + 2 (x + 1) = ?


Letters for Variables [11/19/2001]
Why do we use letters for variables?

Linear Equations in One Variable [10/11/2001]
Solve: 35 = 17 + 3(x-2).


Linear Transformations [6/13/1996]
Determine the image of (2,-6) under (x,y) -> (x+3, y+5)

Logarithmic Problem [2/22/1995]

Magic Triangle Puzzle [09/24/2001]

Magic Triangle Puzzles, Expanded [11/17/2012]

Magic Triangle Sums [02/04/2003]

Magic Wheel [03/20/2002]

Making the Grade [04/13/2001]
After three tests, Amanda's average score is 88. What grade does she need on her next test to score a four-test average of 90?

Man Crossing a Bridge [09/27/2001]
A man is jogging across a bridge at 8 mph. When he is 3/8 of the way across...


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