Unit IV: Creating Equations (Part I)

Unit IV (Part I): Broken-down

Single Variable Equations Inequalities Absolute Value Quadratic Multiple Variables Graphing

Single Variable
Were familiar with equations and inequalities of this form 12 - x = 8 or y + 7 10

These simple ones, should be very easily solved in your head. However, let each equation and inequality represent something real. For example, 12 - x = 8, could represent the question: If you started with a dozen eggs, and now have eight, how many have been used? How about, y + 7 10? Come up with a possible real-life problem, that this inequality could represent.

Tips for Creating and Solving Eqns.

Write down all the information Identify what the problem is asking for. Set a variable and define it. If applicable, make sure units are all in same measurements. Solve for the variable. Check work, and circle or box final answer.

Examples Ex. 1:
A car reaches its destination after a five hour trip. If the total distance covered by the car was 340 miles, what was the average speed of the car?

Ex. 2: Inequality
A family is replacing the carpet in two rooms, with hardwood floors. The first room is 20x20, while the second room is 15x20. The family has a budget of $4000. What is the most per square foot floor pricing, the family can afford without going over budget. (Dont worry about taxes).

Ex. 3: Absolute Value

A machine fills oatmeal containers with 32 ounces of oatmeal, then another machine weighs each container. The desired weight of the container, with oats, is 35 ounces, (the extra three ounces come from the container). If the containers weight differs by more than 0.5 of an ounce, then the container is emptied, and goes through the process again. What is lightest and heaviest container, that will be accepted?

Ex. 4: Quadratic Equation

A boat makes a trip, back and forth, each trip is 56 miles long, and takes the boat 7.5 hours to make. If the boats speed is a constant 15 mph, what is the speed of the current?

Multiple Variables
Were familiar with multiple variable equations, such as these two (1) x + y = 12000 (2) 0.9x + 0.11y = 1180 Quickly, solve for x & y. However, these equations could have been used to find how much money was invested into two different funds. If we knew that $12000 total, was invested, into two different funds; Eqn. (1) could represent this. If one fund paid 9% interest while the other paid 11% interest, and the total interest received was $1180; well Eqn. (2), would represent this.

Ex. 5: Coins
We have a total of $5, in quarters, dimes, and nickels. Determine how many quarters, dimes and nickels you have, if there is three times as many nickels as dimes.

Ex. 6: Graphing
Pretend you are a car salesman or woman. You make $7000 for every domestic car, however lose $3500 for every foreign car you sell. If you need to cover $7000 in expenses, how many cars must you sell to make a profit? Use a graph to show all possible solutions.