Month: October 2013

Number Word Problems 1 – How to Solve Number Problems Mentally

High School Algebra, High School Mathematics, Problem Solving and Proofs

This is the first part of the Solving Number Problems Series for Grade 6-8 students, a-sub series of the Math Word Problem Solving Series.

Some of you probably need paper and pencil to solve number problems. You will be surprised that if you think harder and work backward, you can actually solve these problems in your head. Consider the following examples.

Example 1

One number is 1 more than the other. Their sum is 47. What are the numbers?

Explanation and Solution

First, one number is 1 more than the other. That means that if we subtract 1 from the larger number the two numbers will be equal. That’s our first clue.

Second, if we subtract 1 from the larger number, then we should also subtract 1 from the sum (Can you see why?). That makes the sum 46. Now, since the two numbers are equal, we can divide 46 by 2. That gives us 23 which is the smaller number. Now, since the other number is 1 larger than 23, then it is 24.

Answers: 23 and 24 » Read more

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Introduction to Math Word Problem Solving

High School Mathematics

As I have mentioned in the previous post, I will be starting a Math Word Problem Solving Series for elementary school and high school students. If you can recall, I have already started this series before, but it was discontinued for a while.

In this series, we are going to learn some of the basics of solving word problems and learn some strategies and tricks to make problem solving easier. This series will include tutorials on how to solve number problems, age problems, number digit problems, distance-rate-time problems, base-rate-percentage problems, mixture problems, etc.

Problem solving ability is developed over time. If you want to be good at it, then you have to practice solving a lot of problems. Reading this series will probably help you a little, but solving the problems yourself will make you a better problem solver. » Read more

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Back from a long break

Announcements, High School Mathematics, Miscellaneous

I am happy to tell you all that I am back  from a long break and will be posting articles from time to time.  It required me two weeks to get a user ID from my University here in Japan. The user ID will enable me to connect to the University’s network and use the internet.

The content of many recent articles of Math and Multimedia have been relatively higher than the mathematics taken by high school, so I plan to tone down a little bit. Although I want to post undergraduate mathematics in this blog from time to time, the main audience is still high school mathematics students and teachers. Therefore, in the next few weeks, I will be writing tutorials on how to solve word problems, a topic that is requested by a lot of readers since this blog started. Solving word problems will include step by step tutorials and tips on how to solve number problems, age problems, mixture problems, etc.

Aside from problem solving, I am also exploring some software which I will share to you in the next few weeks.  I will also provide tips and tutorials particularly about Open Office Spreadsheet.

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