Writing equations from word problems means taking a real-world situation described in words and turning it into a mathematical statement. This helps us solve problems by using numbers and symbols. For example, if a problem says "Sarah has 5 apples and gets 3 more," we can write the equation $5 + 3 = ?$. The "?" represents what we're trying to find. Learning to write these equations is a super useful skill for solving all sorts of math problems!
When we are working on these problems, it is very important to read the entire word problem first! Then, identify what the unknown is, and assign a variable. Finally, translate the words into a symbolic expression.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| 1. Equation | A. A symbol, usually a letter, that represents an unknown number |
| 2. Variable | B. A mathematical sentence stating that two expressions are equal |
| 3. Sum | C. The answer to an addition problem |
| 4. Difference | D. The answer to a subtraction problem |
| 5. Product | E. The answer to a multiplication problem |
Match the term to its definition:
To write an equation from a word problem, first, read the problem carefully. Identify what you are trying to _____. This is your _____. Look for key words like "total", "sum", "difference", or "product" to understand which _____ operation to use. Finally, write the equation using numbers, _____, and the equal sign.
Word Bank: unknown, math, variable, find
Answer: To write an equation from a word problem, first, read the problem carefully. Identify what you are trying to find. This is your unknown. Look for key words like "total", "sum", "difference", or "product" to understand which math operation to use. Finally, write the equation using numbers, variable, and the equal sign.
Explain in your own words how writing equations can help you solve real-world problems. Give an example.
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