Geom_3eTE.07F3.

X_405 3/27/06 6:47 AM Page 405

GPS Guided Problem Solving Guided Problem Solving

FOR USE WITH PAGE 402, EXERCISE 29 Understanding

Word Problems
Understanding Word Problems Read the problem below. Then let Kyla’s
thinking guide you through the solution. Check your understanding with the
exercises at the bottom of the page. Guided Instruction
Surveying The perimeter of the triangular lot This feature models the thinking
at the right is 50 m. The surveyor’s tape and algebraic solution steps for a
x y
bisects an angle. Find the lengths x and y. multistep word problem.

Special Needs L1
12 m 8m
Encourage students to copy the
diagram to better grasp what
information is given and what is
What Kyla Thinks What Kyla Writes being asked for. Students should
also include perimeter = 50 m next
The perimeter of the triangular lot is 50. The x + y + 8 + 12 = 50
to their diagram.
perimeter is the distance around the lot. I can
x + y + 20 = 50
write and simplify an equation.
x + y = 30 ✔ Teaching Tip
Ask: How else could you write this
8 x y 8 y
proportion? 12
x 5 y , 12 5 8 , 12 5 x
The surveyor’s tape bisects the top angle. By the 12 x
Triangle-Angle-Bisector Theorem, the tape =
8 y Math Tip
divides the bottom side into two lengths that are
proportional to the other two sides. 12y = 8x Ask: Why did Kyla use substitution
to solve the system of two
I can write and simplify a proportion.
y = 2x ✔ equations? Sample: one equation
3 is already solved for one variable
so it is the most direct solution
method What other ways can be
I have a system of two equations (✔ and ✔ ) in x + 2x = 30 used to solve this system of two
two unknowns. I can substitute 23x for y in the
3
equations? Sample: Graphically by
first equation and solve for x. 5
3
x = 30 finding the point of intersection,
and algebraically by elimination.
x = 18
Exercises 1-4 Ask: What do you
Now I can solve for y. Since x + y = 30, y must be 12. notice about each pair of
segments? their sum is 20 m

EXERCISES
Refer to the exercise above. If the surveyor’s tape forms segments of the following
lengths, what are x and y?
1. 10 m and 10 m 2. 8 m and 12 m 3. 15 m and 5 m 4. 2 m and 18 m

5. Again, refer to the problem Kyla solved. If the cuts measure a and b, and
a 1 b 5 20, show that x 5 32a and y 5 32b. See margin.

Guided Problem Solving Understanding Word Problems 405

y
1. x ≠ 15, y ≠ 15 5. Solve ax ≠ b for x to get Substituting this back
ay
ay
x ≠ b . Substitute this into x ≠ b and solving
2. x ≠ 12, y ≠ 18 30
expression for x into for x, x ≠ a ≠ a30a
3. x ≠ 22.5, y ≠ 7.5 ay
x ± y ≠ 30 to get b ± Qb 1 1R 1 b
ay
4. x ≠ 3, y ≠ 27
y ≠ 30. Solving for y ≠ 23 a. Similarly, 23 a ≠ b
30
results in y ≠ a . and therefore y ≠ 32 b.
Qb 1 1R 405