word problem

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smith04

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Jan 31, 2012
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Can anyone explain if there is a sysmetatic way (ie equation) on solving the following word problem??

John jogged 5 3/4 more miles than he walked. John completed a total of 15 miles. HOW MANY MILES DID JOHN WALK?
 
sorry about the double post.....Im a college grad...10 years ago though... my highest level of math is college algebra... which i forgot 99% of.... anyways the question was from my sons 5th grade math class so the explanation should be on an elementary level.... i was able to solve the problem by trial and error ...was wondering if there was an easier approach..
 
smith04 said:
Can anyone explain if there is a sysmetatic way (ie equation) on solving the following word problem??

John jogged 5 3/4 more miles than he walked. John completed a total of 15 miles. HOW MANY MILES DID JOHN WALK?
Click to expand...

Assume:

John walked "W" miles

Then John jogged "W + 5.75" miles

Then

W + W + 5.75 = 15

2*W = 15 - 5.75 = 9.25

W = 9.25/2 = 4.625 = 4 5/8 miles
 
smith04 said:
awesome....excuse my ignorance, but what does the 2*W represent?
Click to expand...

I take it that you understood why the previous step said:

W + W + 5.75 = 15

In words, that statement says "distance walked + distance jogged = total distance"

Remember that W means 1W.

1W + 1W = 2W just like 1 banana + 1 banana = 2 bananas

and 2W is understood to mean "2 times W," or 2*W

So,

W + W + 5.75 = 15

can be simplified by combining the Ws to get

2*W + 5.75 = 15
 
Thanks for that detailed summary Jeff...I initially used the guess and check beginning with 10 and 5....finally making it to my answer.....and of course taking much longer! they have received some instruction in algebra thus far so I will pass this along ....thanks again guys for the help
 
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