Summary: Using a Problem Solving Strategy

Key Concepts

Problem Solving Strategy
1. Read the word problem. Make sure you understand all the words and ideas. You may need to read the problem two or more times. If there are words you don't understand, look them up in a dictionary or on the internet.
2. Identify what you are looking for.
3. Name what you are looking for. Choose a variable to represent that quantity.
4. Translate into an equation. It may be helpful to first restate the problem in one sentence before translating.
5. Solve the equation using good algebra techniques.
6. Check the answer in the problem. Make sure it makes sense.
7. Answer the question with a complete sentence.

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