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2.5 Applications of Linear Equations
Learning Objectives
1.Identify key words and phrases, translate sentences to mathematical equations, and develop strategies to solve problems.
2.Solve word problems involving relationships between numbers.
3.Solve geometry problems involving perimeter.
4.Solve percent and money problems including simple interest.
5.Set up and solve uniform motion problems.
Key Words, Translation, and Strategy
Algebra simplifies the process of solving real-
Key Words
Translation
Sum, increased by, more than, plus, added to, total +
Difference, decreased by, subtracted from, less, minus −
Product, multiplied by, of, times, twice *
Quotient, divided by, ratio, per /
Is, total, result =
Here are some examples of translated key phrases.
Key Phrases
Translation
The sum of a number and 7. x+7
Seven more than a number.
The difference of a number and 7. x−7
Seven less than a number.
Seven subtracted from a number.
The product of 2 and a number. 2x
Twice a number.
One-
The quotient of a number and 7. x/7
When translating sentences into mathematical statements, be sure to read the sentence several times and identify the key words and phrases.
Example 1: Translate: Four less than twice some number is 16.
Solution: First, choose a variable for the unknown number and identify the key words and phrases.
Let x represent the unknown indicated by “some number.”
Remember that subtraction is not commutative. For this reason, take care when setting up differences. In this example, 4−2x=16 is an incorrect translation.
Answer: 2x−4=16
It is important to first identify the variable—let x represent…—and state in words what the unknown quantity is. This step not only makes your work more readable but also forces you to think about what you are looking for. Usually, if you know what you are asked to find, then the task of finding it is achievable.
Example 2: Translate: When 7 is subtracted from 3 times the sum of a number and 12, the result is 20.
Solution: Let n represent the unknown number.
Answer: 3(n+12)−7=20
To understand why parentheses are needed, study the structures of the following two sentences and their translations:
“3 times the sum of a number and 12” 3(n+12)
“the sum of 3 times a number and 12” 3n+12
The key is to focus on the phrase “3 times the sum.” This prompts us to group the sum within parentheses and then multiply by 3. Once an application is translated into an algebraic equation, solve it using the techniques you have learned.
Guidelines for Setting Up and Solving Word Problems
Step 1: Read the problem several times, identify the key words and phrases, and organize the given information.
Step 2: Identify the variables by assigning a letter or expression to the unknown quantities.
Step 3: Translate and set up an algebraic equation that models the problem.
Step 4: Solve the resulting algebraic equation.
Step 5: Finally, answer the question in sentence form and make sure it makes sense (check it).
For now, set up all of your equations using only one variable. Avoid two variables by looking for a relationship between the unknowns.
Problems Involving Relationships between Real Numbers
We classify applications involving relationships between real numbers broadly as number problems. These problems can sometimes be solved using some creative arithmetic, guessing, and checking. Solving in this manner is not a good practice and should be avoided. Begin by working through the basic steps outlined in the general guidelines for solving word problems.
Example 3: A larger integer is 2 less than 3 times a smaller integer. The sum of the two integers is 18. Find the integers.
Solution:
Identify variables: Begin by assigning a variable to the smaller integer.
Use the first sentence to identify the larger integer in terms of the variable x: “A larger integer is 2 less than 3 times a smaller.”
Set up an equation: Add the expressions that represent the two integers, and set the resulting expression equal to 18 as indicated in the second sentence: “The sum of the two integers is 18.”
Solve: Solve the equation to obtain the smaller integer x.
Back substitute: Use the expression 3x−2 to find the larger integer—this is called back substitutingThe process of finding the answers to other unknowns after one has been found..
Answer the question: The two integers are 5 and 13.
Check: 5 + 13 = 18. The answer makes sense.
Example 4: The difference between two integers is 2. The larger integer is 6 less than twice the smaller. Find the integers.
Solution: Use the relationship between the two integers in the second sentence, “The larger integer is 6 less than twice the smaller,” to identify the unknowns in terms of one variable.
Since the difference is positive, subtract the smaller integer from the larger.
Solve.
Use 2x − 6 to find the larger integer.
Answer: The two integers are 8 and 10. These integers clearly solve the problem.
It is worth mentioning again that you can often find solutions to simple problems by guessing and checking. This is so because the numbers are chosen to simplify the process of solving, so that the algebraic steps are not too tedious. You learn how to set up algebraic equations with easier problems, so that you can use these ideas to solve more difficult problems later.
Example 5: The sum of two consecutive even integers is 46. Find the integers.
Solution: The key phrase to focus on is “consecutive even integers.”
Add the even integers and set them equal to 46.
Solve.
Use x + 2 to find the next even integer.
Answer: The consecutive even integers are 22 and 24.
It should be clear that consecutive even integers are separated by two units. However, it may not be so clear that odd integers are as well.
Example 6: The sum of two consecutive odd integers is 36. Find the integers.
Solution: The key phrase to focus on is “consecutive odd integers.”
Add the two odd integers and set the expression equal to 36.
Solve.
Use x + 2 to find the next odd integer.
Answer: The consecutive odd integers are 17 and 19.
The algebraic setup for even and odd integer problems is the same. A common mistake is to use x and x + 3 when identifying the variables for consecutive odd integers. This is incorrect because adding 3 to an odd number yields an even number: for example, 5 + 3 = 8. An incorrect setup is very likely to lead to a decimal answer, which may be an indication that the problem was set up incorrectly.
Example 7: The sum of three consecutive integers is 24. Find the integers.
Solution: Consecutive integers are separated by one unit.
Add the integers and set the sum equal to 24.
Solve.
Back substitute to find the other two integers.
Answer: The three consecutive integers are 7, 8 and 9, where 7 + 8 + 9 = 24.
Try this! The sum of three consecutive odd integers is 87. Find the integers.
Answer: The integers are 27, 29, and 31.
Video Solution
(click to see video)
Geometry Problems (Perimeter)
Recall that the perimeterThe sum of the lengths of all the outside edges of a polygon. of a polygon is the sum of the lengths of all the outside edges. In addition, it is helpful to review the following perimeter formulas (π≈3.14159).
Perimeter of a rectangleP=2l+2w, where l represents the length and w represents the width.:
P=2l+2w
Perimeter of a squareP=4s, where s represents the length of a side.:
P=4s
Perimeter of a triangleP=a+b+c, where a, b, and c each represents the length of a different side.:
P=a+b+c
Perimeter of a circle (circumferenceThe perimeter of a circle given by C=2πr, where r represents the radius of the circle and π≈3.14159.):
C=2πr
Keep in mind that you are looking for a relationship between the unknowns so that you can set up algebraic equations using only one variable. When working with geometry problems, it is often helpful to draw a picture.
Example 8: A rectangle has a perimeter measuring 64 feet. The length is 4 feet more than 3 times the width. Find the dimensions of the rectangle.
Solution: The sentence “The length is 4 feet more than 3 times the width” gives the relationship between the two variables.
The sentence “A rectangle has a perimeter measuring 64 feet” suggests an algebraic setup. Substitute 64 for the perimeter and the expression for the length into the appropriate formula as follows:
Once you have set up an algebraic equation with one variable, solve for the width, w.
Use 3w + 4 to find the length.
Answer: The rectangle measures 7 feet by 25 feet. To check, add all of the sides:
Example 9: Two sides of a triangle are 5 and 7 inches longer than the third side. If the perimeter measures 21 inches, find the length of each side.
Solution: The first sentence describes the relationships between the unknowns.
Substitute these expressions into the appropriate formula and use 21 for the perimeter P.
You now have an equation with one variable to solve.
Back substitute.
Answer: The three sides of the triangle measure 3 inches, 8 inches, and 10 inches. The check is left to the reader.
Try this! The length of a rectangle is 1 foot less than twice its width. If the perimeter is 46 feet, find the dimensions.
Answer: Width: 8 feet; length: 15 feet
Video Solution
(click to see video)
Problems Involving Money and Percents
Whenever setting up an equation involving a percentage, we usually need to convert the percentage to a decimal or fraction. If the question asks for a percentage, then do not forget to convert your answer to a percent at the end. Also, when money is involved, be sure to round off to two decimal places.
Example 10: If a pair of shoes costs $52.50 including a 714% tax, what is the original cost of the item before taxes are added?
Solution: Begin by converting 714% to a decimal.
The amount of tax is this rate times the original cost of the item. The original cost of the item is what you are asked to find.
Use this equation to solve for c, the original cost of the item.
Answer: The cost of the item before taxes is $48.95. Check this by multiplying $48.95 by 0.0725 to obtain the tax and add it to this cost.
Example 11: Given a 518% annual interest rate, how long will it take $1,200 to yield $307.50 in simple interest?
Solution:
Organize the data needed to use the simple interest formula I=prt.
Given interest for the time period: I=$307.50
Given principal: p=$1200
Given rate: r=518%=5.125%=0.05125
Next, substitute all of the known quantities into the formula and then solve for the only unknown, t.
Answer: It takes 5 years for $1,200 invested at 518% to earn $307.50 in simple interest.
Example 12: Mary invested her total savings of $3,400 in two accounts. Her mutual fund account earned 8% last year and her CD earned 5%. If her total interest for the year was $245, how much was in each account?
Solution: The relationship between the two unknowns is that they total $3,400. When a total is involved, a common technique used to avoid two variables is to represent the second unknown as the difference of the total and the first unknown.
The total interest is the sum of the interest earned from each account.
Interest earned in the mutual fund: I=Prt=x⋅0.08⋅1=0.08x
Interest earned in the CD: I=Prt=(3,400−x)⋅0.05⋅1=0.05(3,400−x)
This equation models the problem with one variable. Solve for x.
Back substitute.
Answer: Mary invested $2,500 at 8% in a mutual fund and $900 at 5% in a CD.
Example 13: Joe has a handful of dimes and quarters that values $5.30. He has one fewer than twice as many dimes than quarters. How many of each coin does he have?
Solution: Begin by identifying the variables.
To determine the total value of a number of coins, multiply the number of coins by the value of each coin. For example, 5 quarters have a value $0.25 ⋅ 5 = $1.25.
Solve for the number of quarters, q.
Back substitute into 2q − 1 to find the number of dimes.
Answer: Joe has 12 quarters and 23 dimes. Check by multiplying $0.25 ⋅ 12 = $3.00 and $0.10 ⋅ 23 = $2.30. Then add to obtain the correct amount: $3.00 + $2.30 = $5.30.
Try this! A total amount of $5,900 is invested in two accounts. One account earns 3.5% interest and another earns 4.5%. If the interest for 1 year is $229.50, then how much is invested in each account?
Answer: $3,600 is invested at 3.5% and $2,300 at 4.5%.
Video Solution
(click to see video)
Uniform Motion Problems (Distance Problems)
Uniform motion refers to movement at a speed, or rate, that does not change. We can determine the distance traveled by multiplying the average rate by the time traveled at that rate with the formula D=r⋅t. Applications involving uniform motion usually have a lot of data, so it helps to first organize the data in a chart and then set up an algebraic equation that models the problem.
Example 14: Two trains leave the station at the same time traveling in opposite directions. One travels at 70 miles per hour and the other at 60 miles per hour. How long does it take for the distance between them to reach 390 miles?
Solution: First, identify the unknown quantity and organize the data.
The given information is filled in on the following chart. The time for each train is equal.
To avoid introducing two more variables, use the formula D=r⋅t to fill in the unknown distances traveled by each train.
We can now completely fill in the chart.
The algebraic setup is defined by the distance column. The problem asks for the time it takes for the total distance to reach 390 miles.
Solve for t.
Answer: It takes 3 hours for the distance between the trains to reach 390 miles.
Example 15: A train traveling nonstop to its destination is able to make the trip at an average speed of 72 miles per hour. On the return trip, the train makes several stops and is only able to average 48 miles per hour. If the return trip takes 2 hours longer than the initial trip to the destination, then what is the travel time each way?
Solution: First, identify the unknown quantity and organize the data.
The given information is filled in the following chart:
Use the formula D=r⋅t to fill in the unknown distances.
Use these expressions to complete the chart.
The algebraic setup is again defined by the distance column. In this case, the distance to the destination and back is the same, and the equation is
Solve for t.
The return trip takes t+2=4+2=6 hours.
Answer: It takes 4 hours to arrive at the destination and 6 hours to return.
Try this! Mary departs for school on a bicycle at an average rate of 6 miles per hour. Her sister Kate, running late, leaves 15 minutes later and cycles at twice that speed. How long will it take Kate to catch up to Mary? Be careful! Pay attention to the units given in the problem.
Answer: It takes 15 minutes for Kate to catch up.
Video Solution
(click to see video)
Key Takeaways
•Simplify the process of solving real-
•Guessing and checking for solutions is a poor practice. This technique might sometimes produce correct answers, but is unreliable, especially when problems become more complex.
•Read the problem several times and search for the key words and phrases. Identify the unknowns and assign variables or expressions to the unknown quantities. Look for relationships that allow you to use only one variable. Set up a mathematical model for the situation and use algebra to solve the equation. Check to see if the solution makes sense and present the solution in sentence form.
•Do not avoid word problems: solving them can be fun and rewarding. With lots of practice you will find that they really are not so bad after all. Modeling and solving applications is one of the major reasons to study algebra.
•Do not feel discouraged when the first attempt to solve a word problem does not work. This is part of the process. Try something different and learn from incorrect attempts.
Topic Exercises
Part A: Translate
Translate the following into algebraic equations.
1. The sum of a number and 6 is 37.
2. When 12 is subtracted from twice some number the result is 6.
3. Fourteen less than 5 times a number is 1.
4. Twice some number is subtracted from 30 and the result is 50.
5. Five times the sum of 6 and some number is 20.
6. The sum of 5 times some number and 6 is 20.
7. When the sum of a number and 3 is subtracted from 10 the result is 5.
8. The sum of three times a number and five times that same number is 24.
9. Ten is subtracted from twice some number and the result is the sum of the number and 2.
10. Six less than some number is ten times the sum of that number and 5.
Part B: Number Problems
Set up an algebraic equation and then solve.
11. A larger integer is 1 more than twice another integer. If the sum of the integers is 25, find the integers.
12. If a larger integer is 2 more than 4 times another integer and their difference is 32, find the integers.
13. One integer is 30 more than another integer. If the difference between the larger and twice the smaller is 8, find the integers.
14. The quotient of some number and 4 is 22. Find the number.
15. Eight times a number is decreased by three times the same number, giving a difference of 20. What is the number?
16. One integer is two units less than another. If their sum is −22, find the two integers.
17. The sum of two consecutive integers is 139. Find the integers.
18. The sum of three consecutive integers is 63. Find the integers.
19. The sum of three consecutive integers is 279. Find the integers.
20. The difference of twice the smaller of two consecutive integers and the larger is 39. Find the integers.
21. If the smaller of two consecutive integers is subtracted from two times the larger, then the result is 17. Find the integers.
22. The sum of two consecutive even integers is 46. Find the integers.
23. The sum of two consecutive even integers is 238. Find the integers.
24. The sum of three consecutive even integers is 96. Find the integers.
25. If the smaller of two consecutive even integers is subtracted from 3 times the larger the result is 42. Find the integers.
26. The sum of three consecutive even integers is 90. Find the integers.
27. The sum of two consecutive odd integers is 68. Find the integers.
28. The sum of two consecutive odd integers is 180. Find the integers.
29. The sum of three consecutive odd integers is 57. Find the integers.
30. If the smaller of two consecutive odd integers is subtracted from twice the larger the result is 23. Find the integers.
31. Twice the sum of two consecutive odd integers is 32. Find the integers.
32. The difference between twice the larger of two consecutive odd integers and the smaller is 59. Find the integers.
Part C: Geometry Problems
Set up an algebraic equation and then solve.
33. If the perimeter of a square is 48 inches, then find the length of each side.
34. The length of a rectangle is 2 inches longer than its width. If the perimeter is 36 inches, find the length and width.
35. The length of a rectangle is 2 feet less than twice its width. If the perimeter is 26 feet, find the length and width.
36. The width of a rectangle is 2 centimeters less than one-
37. The length of a rectangle is 3 feet less than twice its width. If the perimeter is 54 feet, find the dimensions of the rectangle.
38. If the length of a rectangle is twice as long as the width and its perimeter measures 72 inches, find the dimensions of the rectangle.
39. The perimeter of an equilateral triangle measures 63 centimeters. Find the length of each side.
40. An isosceles triangle whose base is one-
41. Each of the two equal legs of an isosceles triangle are twice the length of the base. If the perimeter is 105 centimeters, then how long is each leg?
42. A triangle has sides whose measures are consecutive even integers. If the perimeter is 42 inches, find the measure of each side.
43. A triangle has sides whose measures are consecutive odd integers. If the perimeter is 21 inches, find the measure of each side.
44. A triangle has sides whose measures are consecutive integers. If the perimeter is 102 inches, then find the measure of each side.
45. The circumference of a circle measures 50π units. Find the radius.
46. The circumference of a circle measures 10π units. Find the radius.
47. The circumference of a circle measures 100 centimeters. Determine the radius to the nearest tenth.
48. The circumference of a circle measures 20 centimeters. Find the diameter rounded off to the nearest hundredth.
49. The diameter of a circle measures 5 inches. Determine the circumference to the nearest tenth.
50. The diameter of a circle is 13 feet. Calculate the exact value of the circumference.
Part D: Percent and Money Problems
Set up an algebraic equation and then solve.
51. Calculate the simple interest earned on a 2-
52. Calculate the simple interest earned on a 1-
53. For how many years must $10,000 be invested at an 8½% annual interest rate to yield $4,250 in simple interest?
54. For how many years must $1,000 be invested at a 7.75% annual interest rate to yield $503.75 in simple interest?
55. At what annual interest rate must $2,500 be invested for 3 years in order to yield $412.50 in simple interest?
56. At what annual interest rate must $500 be invested for 2 years in order to yield $93.50 in simple interest?
57. If the simple interest earned for 1 year was $47.25 and the annual rate was 6.3%, what was the principal?
58. If the simple interest earned for 2 years was $369.60 and the annual rate was 5¼%, what was the principal?
59. Joe invested last year’s $2,500 tax return in two different accounts. He put most of the money in a money market account earning 5% simple interest. He invested the rest in a CD earning 8% simple interest. How much did he put in each account if the total interest for the year was $138.50?
60. James invested $1,600 in two accounts. One account earns 4.25% simple interest and the other earns 8.5%. If the interest after 1 year was $85, how much did he invest in each account?
61. Jane has her $5,400 savings invested in two accounts. She has part of it in a CD at 3% annual interest and the rest in a savings account that earns 2% annual interest. If the simple interest earned from both accounts is $140 for the year, then how much does she have in each account?
62. Marty put last year’s bonus of $2,400 into two accounts. He invested part in a CD with 2.5% annual interest and the rest in a money market fund with 1.3% annual interest. His total interest for the year was $42.00. How much did he invest in each account?
63. Alice puts money into two accounts, one with 2% annual interest and another with 3% annual interest. She invests 3 times as much in the higher yielding account as she does in the lower yielding account. If her total interest for the year is $27.50, how much did she invest in each account?
64. Jim invested an inheritance in two separate banks. One bank offered 5.5% annual interest rate and the other 6¼%. He invested twice as much in the higher yielding bank account than he did in the other. If his total simple interest for 1 year was $4,860, then what was the amount of his inheritance?
65. If an item is advertised to cost $29.99 plus 9.25% tax, what is the total cost?
66. If an item is advertised to cost $32.98 plus 8¾% tax, what is the total cost?
67. An item, including an 8.75% tax, cost $46.49. What is the original pretax cost of the item?
68. An item, including a 5.48% tax, cost $17.82. What is the original pretax cost of the item?
69. If a meal costs $32.75, what is the total after adding a 15% tip?
70. How much is a 15% tip on a restaurant bill that totals $33.33?
71. Ray has a handful of dimes and nickels valuing $3.05. He has 5 more dimes than he does nickels. How many of each coin does he have?
72. Jill has 3 fewer half-
73. Cathy has to deposit $410 worth of five-
74. Billy has a pile of quarters, dimes, and nickels that values $3.75. He has 3 more dimes than quarters and 5 more nickels than quarters. How many of each coin does Billy have?
75. Mary has a jar with one-
76. Chad has a bill-
Part D: Uniform Motion (Distance Problems)
Set up an algebraic equation then solve.
77. Two cars leave a location traveling in opposite directions. If one car averages 55 miles per hour and the other averages 65 miles per hour, then how long will it take for them to separate a distance of 300 miles?
78. Two planes leave the airport at the same time traveling in opposite directions. The average speeds for the planes are 450 miles per hour and 395 miles per hour. How long will it take the planes to be a distance of 1,478.75 miles apart?
79. Bill and Ted are racing across the country. Bill leaves 1 hour earlier than Ted and travels at an average rate of 60 miles per hour. If Ted intends to catch up at a rate of 70 miles per hour, then how long will it take?
80. Two brothers leave from the same location, one in a car and the other on a bicycle, to meet up at their grandmother’s house for dinner. If one brother averages 30 miles per hour in the car and the other averages 12 miles per hour on the bicycle, then it takes the brother on the bicycle 1 hour less than 3 times as long as the other in the car. How long does it take each of them to make the trip?
81. A commercial airline pilot flew at an average speed of 350 miles per hour before being informed that his destination airfield may be closed due to poor weather conditions. In an attempt to arrive before the storm, he increased his speed 400 miles per hour and flew for another 3 hours. If the total distance flown was 2,950 miles, then how long did the trip take?
82. Two brothers drove the 2,793 miles from Los Angeles to New York. One of the brothers, driving during the day, was able to average 70 miles per hour, and the other, driving at night, was able to average 53 miles per hour. If the brother driving at night drove 3 hours less than the brother driving in the day, then how many hours did they each drive?
83. Joe and Ellen live 21 miles apart. Departing at the same time, they cycle toward each other. If Joe averages 8 miles per hour and Ellen averages 6 miles per hour, how long will it take them to meet?
84. If it takes 6 minutes to drive to the automobile repair shop at an average speed of 30 miles per hour, then how long will it take to walk back at an average rate of 4 miles per hour?
85. Jaime and Alex leave the same location and travel in opposite directions. Traffic conditions enabled Alex to average 14 miles per hour faster than Jaime. After 1½ hours they are 159 miles apart. Find the speed at which each was able to travel.
86. Jane and Holly live 51 miles apart and leave at the same time traveling toward each other to meet for lunch. Jane traveled on the freeway at twice the average speed as Holly. They were able to meet in a half hour. At what rate did each travel?
Part F: Discussion Board Topics
87. Discuss ideas for calculating taxes and tips mentally.
88. Research historical methods for representing unknowns.
89. Research and compare simple interest and compound interest. What is the difference?
90. Discuss why algebra is a required subject.
91. Research ways to show that a repeating decimal is rational. Share your findings on the discussion board.
Answers
1: x+6=37
3: 5x−14=1
5: 5(x+6)=20
7: 10−(x+3)=5
9: 2x−10=x+2
11: 8, 17
13: 22, 52
15: 4
17: 69, 70
19: 92, 93, 94
21: 15, 16
23: 118, 120
25: 18, 20
27: 33, 35
29: 17, 19, 21
31: 7, 9
33: 12 inches
35: Width: 5 feet; length: 8 feet
37: Width: 10 feet; length: 17 feet
39: 21 centimeters
41: 21 centimeters, 42 centimeters, 42 centimeters
43: 5 inches, 7 inches, 9 inches
45: 25 units
47: 15.9 centimeters
49: 15.7 inches
51: $271.25
53: 5 years
55: 5.5%
57: $750.00
59: Joe invested $2,050 in the money market account and $450 in the CD.
61: Jane has $3,200 in the CD and $2,200 in savings.
63: Alice invested $250 at 2% and $750 at a 3%.
65: $32.76
67: $42.75
69: $37.66
71: He has 17 nickels and 22 dimes.
73: Cathy has 12 fives and 35 ten-
75: Mary has 7 one-
77: 2.5 hours
79: 6 hours
81: 8 hours
83: 1½ hours
85: Jaime: 46 miles per hour; Alex: 60 miles per hour
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