Solving Linear Word Problems on Work and Wages A linear word problem is a problem that involves a straight line , a variable , and an equal sign...
A linear word problem is a problem that involves a straight line, a variable, and an equal sign. This kind of problem asks you to find the value of the variable that makes the equation true.
Let's see an example:
Problem: If Sarah earns $12 per hour and she works 40 hours a week, how much does she earn in a week?
Solution:
We can represent Sarah's hourly pay with the variable x.
We are told that she earns $12 per hour, so x = 12.
We are also told that she works 40 hours a week, so x = 40.
Putting these values into the equation, we get:
Therefore, Sarah earns $480 in a week.
Here are some other key concepts to remember when solving linear word problems:
Equal sign: An equal sign = means that the two sides of the equation are equal.
Variable: A variable is a unknown value that we are trying to find.
Straight line: A straight line represents a linear equation, which can be expressed in the form y = mx + b, where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept.
Slope: The slope is a measure of how quickly the line rises or falls. It tells us the change in y divided by the change in x.
Y-intercept: The y-intercept is the point where the line crosses the y-axis. It tells us the value of y when x = 0.
By understanding these concepts and using them to solve problems, you can become an expert at solving linear word problems on work and wages.