Number Word Problems 1 – How to Solve Number Problems Mentally
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