More Ways To Kill A Cat

MORE WAYS TO KILL A CAT

by H. O. MAPHOPHE
www.macefitsconsultingservicescc.com Page 1 of 54 @ Macefits Consulting Services CC

“There are more ways of killing a cat than drowning it in cream”
If one method is not effective, then try another.
SOLUTION OF WORD PROBLEMS
1. WORD PROBLEMS
1.1 GENERAL PROCEDURE IN THE SOLUTION OF WORD PROBLEMS
https://www.scribd.com/document/461210532/General-Procedure-in-the-Solution-
of-Word-Problems
1.2 PROBLEMS INVOLVING NUMBERS
https://www.scribd.com/document/462122728/Problems-Involving-Numbers
1.3 PROBLEMS INVOLVING AGES
https://www.scribd.com/document/462122994/Problems-Involving-Ages
1.4 PROBLEMS INVOLVING PRICE CALCULATIONS AND COINS
https://www.scribd.com/document/462123189/Problems-Involving-Price-
Calculations-and-Coins
1.5 PROBLEMS INVOLVING SPEED, DISTANCE AND TIME
https://www.scribd.com/document/462147512/Problems-Involving-Speed-
Distance-and-Time

GENERAL PROCEDURE IN THE SOLUTION OF WORD PROBLEMS
Step 1: Construct Algebraic Formulae
Step 2: Formulate Algebraic Equation(s)
Step 3: Solve the Algebraic Equation
EXAMPLE
Some birds were flying and met a bird on their way. The bird greeted them; hello hundred!
They said we are not hundred; we need half of us plus you to make us hundred. How many
birds were flying?
SOLUTION
Step 1: Construct Algebraic Formulae
Let the number of birds be x
Then half the number of birds will be
Step 2: Formulate Algebraic Equation(s)
Step 3: Solve the Algebraic Equation
2x + x + 2 = 200 (Multiply both sides by 2)
2x + x = 200 – 2 (Transfer numerals to RHS)
3x = 198 Collect like terms)
x = 66 (Divide throughout by 3)
Therefore, the correct answer is C

PROBLEMS INVOLVING NUMBERS

PROBLEM 1
Some birds were flying and met a bird on their way. The bird greeted them; hello hundred! They said we
are not hundred; we need half of us plus you to make us hundred. How many birds were flying?
Possible answers:
A. 198
B. 49
C. 66
D. 51
E. 101
F. 199
Show me the answer.
SOLUTION
Then half the number of birds will be
Then, x + + 1 = 100
2x + x + 2 = 200 (Multiply both sides by 2)
2x + x = 200 – 2 (Transfer numerals to RHS)
3x = 198 (Collect like terms)
Therefore, the correct answer is C

PROBLEM 2
A master and his servant went to the forest to hunt birds and hares.
After killing a number of birds and hares, the master asked the servant:
“How many birds and hares do you count?”
The servant replied: “I count six heads and sixteen legs.”
How many birds and hares were killed?
SOLUTION
METHOD 1
Then the number of hares will be (6 – x)
(A the total number of heads is six, it means that there are 6 animals)
Therefore,
2x+ 4(6 – x) = 16 (A bird has 2 legs and a hare has 4 legs)
2x + 24 – 4x = 16 (Remove brackets)
2x – 4x = 16 – 24 (Take numerals to RHS)
-2x = - 8 (Collect like terms)
x=4 (Divide throughout by -2)
(6 – x ) = 6 – 4
=2
Therefore, 4 birds and 2 hares were killed

SOLUTION
METHOD 2
Let the number of birds be x ; and
The number of hares be y
Therefore, x+ y = 6 ……….(1)
(There are six animals)
2x + 4y = 16 ……….(2)
(A bird has 2 legs and a hare has 4 legs and there are 16 legs altogethe
x+ 2y = 8 ……….(3)
(Divide throughout by 2)
(3)-(1): y=2 ……….(4)
Substitute y = 2 from (4) in (1):
x+2=6
Therefore, x=4
Therefore, 4 birds and 2 hares were killed

PROBLEM 3
A man has a pile of wood to chop which will give him six hours’ work. After chopping for two hours, he
gets the help of a boy and together, they finish in another two hours. How long would it take the boy
alone to chop the pile of wood?
Possible answers:
A. 5 hours
B. 8 hours
C. 9 hours
D. 11 hours
E. 12 hours
F. 18 hours
Show me the answer.
SOLUTION
Let the boy finish chopping a pile of wood in x hours,
Therefore in 1 hour, he would have chopped
In 6 hours, a man finishes chopping a pile of wood.
Therefore in 1 hour, would have chopped
But in 2 hours, the man has finished
So the outstanding portion of wood to be chopped is
Together in 3 hours, the man and the boy: 3( + ) =
Multiply throughout by 6x: Therefore, 18 + 3x = 4x

Therefore x = 18
Therefore it would have taken the boy 18 hours to finish chopping a pile of wood. Option F is the
correct answer.
EXERCISES
1. A trade union for domestic workers, farm labourers and catering staff has 35 000 members. The
number of catering staff exceeds the number of farm labourers by 3 000. There are half as many
domestic workers as catering staff. Calculate the number of farm labourers who belong to this
union.
2. A furniture dealer knows that she has 36 tables in her storeroom. Some tables have four legs
and some have three legs, but she does not know how many of each kind. The tables are stored
in such a way that it is easier to count the legs. She counts 124 legs. How many four-legged
tables are there?
3. The Engineering Faculty at a university admits 84 new students at the beginning of each year. If
three is added to the number of male students, then the number of female students is double
this number. Calculate how many male and how many female students are admitted.
4. One pipe can fill a tank in an hour, another can fill it in half an hour, and a third can fill it in 20
minutes. How long will the three pipes take to fill the tank if they are being used at the same
time?

PROBLEMS INVOLVING AGES
PROBLEM 1
A father is now 30 years older than his son. Four years ago, his age was double
that of his son. Calculate their ages.
SOLUTION
METHOD 1
SON FATHER RELATIONSHIP
NOW x (x + 30)
SEVEN YEARS AGO (x – 7) (x + 23) x + 23 = 2(x – 7)
x + 23 = 2(x – 7)
x + 23 = 2x – 14 (Remove brackets)
x – 2x = -14 -23 (Variable to LHS and numerals to RHS)
-x = -37 (Collect like terms)
x = 37 (Divide throughout by -1)
x + 30 = 67
Therefore the father is 67 years old and his son is 37 years old

PROBLEM 1
SOLUTION
METHOD 2
NOW (x + 7) (2x + 7) (2x + 7) – (x + 7) = 30
SEVEN YEARS AGO x 2x
(2x + 7) – (x + 7) = 30
2x + 7 – x – 7 = 30 (Remove brackets)
2x – x = 30 – 7 + 7 (Variable to LHS and numerals to RHS)
x = 30 (Collect like terms)
x + 7 = 30 + 7 (Substitution)
= 37
2x + 7 = 2(30) + 7 (Substitution)
= 67

PROBLEM 1
SOLUTION
METHOD 3
NOW (x – 30) x
SEVEN YEARS AGO (x – 37( (x – 7) (x – 7) = 2(x – 37)
x – 7 = 2(x – 37)
x – 7 = 2x – 74 (Remove brackets)
x – 2x = - 74 + 7 (Variable to LHS and numerals to RHS)
x – 30 = 37

PROBLEM 1
SOLUTION
METHOD 4
NOW (1/2x + 7) (x + 7) (x + 7) - (1/2x + 7) = 30
1
SEVEN YEARS AGO /2x x
(x + 7) - (1/2x + 7) = 30
x + 7 - 1/2x – 7 = 30 (Remove brackets)
x - 1/2x = 30 – 7 + 7 (Variables on LHS and numerals on RHS)

1
/2x = 30 (Collect like terms)
x = 60 (Multiply throughout by 2)
 (x + 7) = 67
 ( 1/2x + 7) = 37

PROBLEM 1
SOLUTION
METHOD 5
NOW x y y – x = 30
SEVEN YEARS AGO (x – 7) (y – 7) y – 7 = 2(x – 7)
y – x = 30
 y = x + 30 (1)
y – 7 = 2(x – 7)
 y = 2x -14+7 (2)
2x – 14 + 7 = x + 30 Each = y
 2x – x = 30 + 14 – 7 (Variable to LHS and numerals to RHS)
 x = 37 (Collect like terms)
 y = x + 30
 y = 37 + 30 (Substitution)

 y = 67
PROBLEM 1
SOLUTION
METHOD 6
NOW (x + 7) (y + 7) (y + 7) – (x + 7) = 30
SEVEN YEARS AGO x y y = 2x
(y + 7) – (x + 7) = 30
y + 7 – x – 7 = 30 (Remove brackets)
y – x = 30 [Collect like terms] (1)
y = 2x (2)
Substitute y = 2x from (2) in (1):
 2x – x = 30
 x = 30 (3)
Substitute x = 30 from (3) in (2):
 y = 2(30) = 60
 (x + 7) = 37
 (y + 7) = 67
EXERCISE
1. Maria is 4 years younger than her sister Mary and 19 years older than her
son David. How old is each one of the three?
2. A father is twice as old as his son. Five years ago the father was 2 1/2 times
as old as his son. How old is each one of them now?
3. A father is ten times as old as his son. In five years’ time he will be four
times as old his son. Find their present ages.
4. Sharon’s mother is twice as old as Sharon. Ten years ago the sum of their
ages was 49. How old is each one now?
5. Peter is 32 years younger than his father. In ten years’ time the sum of their
ages will be 86. How old are they now?

PROBLEMS INVOLVING PRICE CALCULATIONS AND COINS

PROBLEM 1
Four boys want to buy a treadmill. Each boy is willing to pay a fourth of the cost. They then calculate
that each boy will have to pay R500 less if they could get the help of one more boy to share the cost of
the treadmill equally with them.
Calculate:
a. The cost of the treadmill.
b. The amount payable by each of the four boys
c. The amount payable by each of the five boys
SOLUTION
METHOD 1
Let the cost of the treadmill be x
Then each of the four boys will pay
And each of the five boys will pay
AMOUNT PAID BY RELATIONSHIP

EACH OF THE FOUR BOYS
= R500
EACH OF THE FIVE BOYS
= R500
LCD = 20
5x – 4x = R10 000 (Multiply throughout by 20)
x = R10 000 (Collect like terms)
a. Therefore the treadmill costs R10 000

b. Each of the four boys will pay = = R2 500

c. Each of the five boys would pay
PROBLEM 1
Calculate:

SOLUTION
METHOD 2
Let the amount payable by each of the four boys be x
Therefore, the cost of the treadmill will be 4x
And the amount paid by each of the five boys will be

EACH OF THE FOUR BOYS x
EACH OF THE FIVE BOYS x -
x-
LCD = 5
a. Therefore the treadmill costs 4x =4(R2 500) = R10 000

b. Each of the four boys will pay R2 500

PROBLEM 1
Calculate:
SOLUTION
METHOD 3
Let the amount payable by each of the five boys be x
Therefore, the cost of the treadmill will be 5x
And the amount paid by each of the four boys will be

EACH OF THE FOUR BOYS
= R500
= R500
LCD = 4

a. Therefore the treadmill costs 5x =4(R2 000) = R10 000
c. Each of the five boys would pay x
PROBLEM 1
Calculate:
SOLUTION
METHOD 4
Let the amount payable by each of the four boys be x
And the amount payable by each of the five boys be y
Then the treadmill costs 4x or 5y

EACH OF THE FOUR BOYS x x – y = R500
EACH OF THE FIVE BOYS y 4x - 5y= 0
x – y = R500 (1)
4x - 5y= 0 (2)
5: 5x – 5y = R2 500 (3)
(3) – (2):  x = R2 500
4: 4x – 4y = R2 000 (4)

(4) – (2):  y = R2 000
a. Therefore the treadmill costs 4x =4(R2 500) = 5y = 5(R2 000) = R10 000
b. Each of the four boys will pay x R2 500
c. Each of the five boys would pay y
PROBLEM 1
Calculate:
a. the cost of the treadmill.
b. the amount payable by each of the four boys
c. the amount payable by each of the five boys
SOLUTION
METHOD 5
Let the amount payable by the four boys be x; then each of the four boys will pay
And the amount payable by the five boys be y; then each of the five boys will pay

EACH OF THE FOUR BOYS x=y
x=y (1)
LCD = 20
5x – 4y = R10 000 (2)
Substitute y = x from (1) in (2):
5x – 4x = R10 000
 x = y = R10 000
a. Therefore the treadmill costs x = y = R10 000

PROBLEM 2
Two cellular phones and three laptops cost R32 000.00. A dozen cellular phones and six laptops cost
R96 000.00. Calculate the cost of one cellular phone and one laptop.
SOLUTION
METHOD 1
Let the price of one cellular phone be x and that of one laptop be y
CELLULAR PHONES LAPTOPS RELATIONSHIP

2x 3y 2x + 3y = R32 000
12x 6y 12x + 6y = R96 000
2x + 3y = R32 000 (1)
12x + 6y = R96 000 (2)
(1) 2: 4x + 6y = R64 000 (3)
(2) – (3): 8x = R32 000
 x = R4 000
(1) 6: 12x + 18y = R192 000 (4)
(4) – (2): 12y = R96 000
 y= R8 000
Therefore, the price of one cellular phone be R4 000 and that of one laptop be R8 000

PROBLEM 2
SOLUTION
METHOD 2
Let the cost of 2 cellular phones be x and that of 3 laptops be (32 000 – x)
Then the price of one cellular phone will be and that of one laptop will be

x (32 000 – x)
12( + 6
12( + 6
LCD = 6
36x + 12(32 000 – x) = 576 000 (Multiply throughout by 6)
3x + 1(32 000 – x) = 48 000 (Divide throughout by 12)
3x + 32 000 – x = 48 000 (Remove brackets)
3x – x = 48 000 – 32 000 (Variables on LHS and numerals on RHS)
2x = 16 000 (Collect like terms)
 x = 8 000
Therefore the price of one cellular phone is = = R4 000
And the price of one laptop is = = = R8 000

PROBLEM 2
SOLUTION
METHOD 3
Let the cost of 3 laptops be x and that of 2 cellular phones be (32 000 – x)
Then the price of one laptop will be and that of one cellular phone will be

(32 000 – x) x
12( )+ 6( ) = 96 000
12( ) + 6( ) = 96 000
LCD = 6
36(32 000 - x) + 12x = 576 000 (Multiply throughout by 6)
3(32 000 - x) + x = 48 000 (Divide throughout by 12)
96 000 – 3x + x = 48 000 (Remove brackets)
-3x + x = 48 000 – 96 000 (Variables on LHS and numerals on RHS)
-2x = - 48 000 (Collect like terms)
 x = 24 000 (Divide throughout by -2)
Therefore, the price of one cellular phone is = R4 000
And the price of one laptop is = = R8 000

PROBLEM 2
SOLUTION
METHOD 4
Let the cost of 12 cellular phones be x and that of 6 laptops be (96 000 – x)
Then the price of one cellular phone will be and that of one laptop will be

x (96 000 – x)
2( ) + 3( = 32 000
2( ) + 3( = 32 000
LCD = 12
2(x) + 6(96 000 – x) = 384 000 (Multiply throughout by 12)
x + 3(96 000 – x) = 192 000 (Divide throughout by 2)
x + 288 000 – 3x = 192 000 (Remove brackets)
x– 3x = 192 000 - 288 000 (Variables on LHS and numerals on RHS)
-2x = -96 000 (Collect like terms)
 x = 48 000 (Divide throughout by -2)
Therefore, the price of one cellular phone is =
And the price of one laptop is R8 000

PROBLEM 2
SOLUTION
METHOD 5
Let the cost of 6 laptops be x and that of 12 cellular phones be (96 000 – x)
Then the price of one laptop will be and that of one cellular phone will be

(96 000 – x) x
2( ) + 3( ) = 32 000
2( ) + 3( ) = 32 000
LCD = 12
2(96 000 – x) + 6(x) = 384 000 (Multiply throughout by 12)
1(96 000 – x) + 3(x) = 192 000 (Divide throughout by 2)
96 000 – x + 3x = 192 000 (Remove brackets)
– x + 3x = 192 000 - 96 000 (Variables on LHS and numerals on RHS)
x = 48 000 (Divide throughout by 2)
Therefore the price of one cellular phone is = = = R4 000
And the price of one laptop is = = R8 000

PROBLEM 3
A bookseller orders a certain number of books for which he pays R4 500. A mishap causes ten of the
books to be stolen. Nevertheless, by selling each of the remaining books at R30 more per book, he
manages to make a profit of R300 on the whole transaction. How many books did he originally order
and at what price each?
SOLUTION
METHOD 1
Let the original number of books be x and the original price per book be
Then the new number of books will be (x – 10) and the new price per book will be
ORIGINAL NEW RELATIONSHIP

NUMBER OF BOOKS x (x – 10)
PRICE PER BOOK
LCD = x(x – 10)
4 800x – 4 500(x – 10) = 30x(x – 10) (Multiply throughout by LCD)
4 800x – 4 500x + 45 000 = 30x2 – 300x (Remove brackets)
300x + 45 000 = 30x2 – 300x (Collect like terms)
30x2 – 600x – 45 000 = 0 (Re-arrange in standard form)
x2 – 20x – 15 00 = 0 (Divide throughout by 30)
(x – 50)(x + 30) = 0 (Factorize)
Either x – 50 = 0 or x + 30 = 0
 x = 50 (Ignore x = -30)

= = 90
Therefore, he ordered 50 books at R90 each.
PROBLEM 3
SOLUTION
METHOD 2
Let the new number of books be x and the new price per book be
Then the original number of books will be (x + 10) and the original price per book will be

NUMBER OF BOOKS (x + 10) x
PRICE PER BOOK
LCD = x(x + 10)
4 800(x + 10) – 4 500x = 30x(x + 10) (Multiply throughout by LCD)
4 800x + 48 000 – 4 500x = 30x2 + 300x (Remove brackets)
300x + 48 000 = 30x2 + 300x (Collect like terms)
30x2- 48 000 = 0 (Re-arrange in standard form)
x2 – 16 00 = 0 (Divide throughout by 30)
(x – 40)(x + 40) = 0 (Factorize)
Either (x – 40) = 0 or (x + 40) = 0
 x = 40 (Ignore x = -40)

(x + 10) = 50 and
PROBLEM 3
SOLUTION
METHOD 3
Let the original price per book be x and the original number of books be
Then the new price per book will be (x + 10) and the new number of books will be

NUMBER OF BOOKS
PRICE PER BOOK x (x + 30)
LCD = x(x + 30)
4 500(x + 30) – 4 800x = 10x(x + 30) (Multiply throughout by LCD)
4 500x + 135 000- 4 800x = 10x2 + 300x (Remove brackets)
135 000 – 300x = 10x2 + 300x (Collect like terms)
10x2 + 600x – 135 000 = 0 (Re-arrange in standard form)
x2 + 60x – 13 500 = 0 (Divide throughout by 10)
(x – 90)(x + 150) = 0 (Factorize)
Either (x – 90) = 0 or (x + 150) = 0
 x = 90 (Ignore x = -150)

 = = 50
PROBLEM 3
SOLUTION
METHOD 4
Let the new price per book be x and the new number of books be
Then the original price per book will be (x – 30) and the original number of books will be

NUMBER OF BOOKS
PRICE PER BOOK (x – 30) x
LCD = x(x – 30)
4 500x – 4 800(x – 30) = 10x(x – 30) (Multiply throughout by LCD)
-300x + 144 000 = 10x2 – 300x (Collect like terms)
10x2 – 144 000 = 0 (Re-arrange in standard form)
x2 – 14 400 = 0 (Divide throughout by 10)
(x – 120)(x + 120) = 0 (Factorize)
Either (x – 120) = 0 or (x + 120) = 0
 x = 120 (Ignore x = -120)

 (x - 30) = 90
 = 50
PROBLEM 3
SOLUTION
METHOD 5
Let the original number of books be x and the new number of books be y
Then the original price per book will be and the new price per book will be

NUMBER OF BOOKS x y x – y = 10
PRICE PER BOOK
x – y = 10  y = (x – 10) (1)
4 800x – 4 500y = 30xy [Multiply throughout by LCD= xy] (2)
4 800x – 4 500(x – 10) = 30x(x – 10) [Substitute y = (x – 10) from (1) in (2)]
300x + 45 000 = 30x2 – 300x (Collect like terms)
30x2 – 600x – 45 000 = 0 (Re-arrange in standard form)
x2 -20x – 1500 = 0 (Divide throughout by 30)
(x – 50) (x + 30) = 0 (Factorize)
Either (x – 50) = 0 or (x + 30) = 0
 x = 50 (Ignore x = -30)

 = = 90
PROBLEM 3
SOLUTION
METHOD 6
Let the original price per book be x and the new price per book be y
Then the original number of books will be and the new number of books will be

NUMBER OF BOOKS
PRICE PER BOOK x y y – x = 30
4 500y – 4 800x = 10xy [Multiply throughout by LCD= xy] (1)
y – x = 30  y = (x + 30) (2)
4 500(x + 30) – 4 800x = 10x(x + 30) [Substitute y = (x + 30) from (2) in (1)]
4 500x + 135 000 – 4 800x = 10x2 + 300x (Remove brackets)
-300x + 135 000 = 10x2 + 300x (Collect like terms)
10x2 + 600x – 135 000 = 0 (Re-arrange in standard form)
x2 + 60x – 13 500 = 0 (Divide throughout by 10)
(x – 90)(x + 150) = 0 (Factorize)
Either (x – 90) = 0 or (x + 150) = 0

 x = 90 and = 50
PROBLEM 3
SOLUTION
METHOD 7
Let the original number of books be x and the original price per book be y
Then the new number of books will be (x – 10) and the new price per book will be (x + 30)
ORIGINAL NEW
NUMBER OF BOOKS x (x – 10)
PRICE PER BOOK y (y + 30)
RELATIONSHIP xy = 4 500 (x – 10)(y + 30) = 4 800
xy = 4 500 (1)
y= (2)
(x – 10)(y + 30) = 4 800
 xy + 30x – 10y – 300 = 4 800 (3)
4 500 + 30x – 10( ) – 300 = 4 800 [Substitute xy = 4 500 from (1) and y = from (2) in (3)]
30x – 600 - 10( )=0 (Re-arrange terms)
x2 – 20x – 150 = 0 (Write in standard form)
(x – 50)(x + 30 = 0 (Factorize)
Either (x – 50) = 0 or (x + 30) = 0
 x = 50 (Ignore x = -30) (4)

y= = [Substitute x = 50 from (4) in (2)]
PROBLEM 3
SOLUTION
METHOD 8
Let the new number of books be x and the new price per book be y
The original number of books will be (x + 10) and the original price per book will be (y – 30)
ORIGINAL NEW
NUMBER OF BOOKS (x + 10) x
PRICE PER BOOK (y – 30) y
RELATIONSHIP (x + 10)(y – 30) = 4 500 xy = 4 800
(x + 10)(y – 30) = 4 500
 xy – 30x + 10y – 300 = 4 500 (1)
xy = 4 800 (2)
y= (3)
and  x = (4)
4 800 – 30x + 10( - 300 = 4 500 [Substitute xy = 4 800 from (2) and y = from (3) in (1)]
-30x +10 =0 (Re-arrange terms)
x2 – 1600 = 0 (Write in standard form)
(x – 40)(x + 40)= 0 (Factorize)

Either (x – 40) = 0 or (x + 40) = 0
 x = 40 (Ignore x = -40)
y= =
 (x + 10)= (40+10) = 50 and (y – 30)= (120 – 30) = 90
PROBLEM 3
SOLUTION
METHOD 9
Let the original number of books be x and the new price per book be y
Then the original price per book will be and the new number of books will be

NUMBER OF BOOKS x
PRICE PER BOOK
(A)  xy – 4 800 = 10y  xy = 10y + 4 800 (1)
(B)  xy – 4 500 = 30x  xy = 30x + 4 500 (2)
From (1) and (2) we have:
30x + 4 500 = 10y + 4 800 (Each = xy)  30x – 10y = 300 (Simplify) y = 3x – 30 (3)
Substitute y = 3x – 30 from (3) in (A): x – = 10 x – = 10 (Simplify)
x(x – 10)- 1 600 = 10(x – 10) [Multiply throughout by (x–10)]

2
x – 10x – 1 600 = 10x – 100 (Remove brackets)
x2 – 20x – 1 500 = 0 (Write in standard form)

(x – 50)(x + 30) = 0 (Factorize)
Either x – 50 = 0 or x + 30 = 0
 (Ignore x = - 30)
 = = 90
PROBLEM 3
SOLUTION
METHOD 10
Let the original price per book be x and the new number of books be y
Then the original number of books will be and the new price per book will be

NUMBER OF BOOKS y
PRICE PER BOOK x
(A)  4 500 – xy = 10x  xy = 4 500 – 10x (1)
(B)  4 800 - xy = 30y  xy = 4 800 – 30y (2)
From (1) and (2) we have:
4 500 – 10x = 4 800 – 30y (Each = xy)  30y – 10x = 300 (Simplify)  y = (3)
Substitute y = from (3) in (A):
 13 500 – x(x + 30) = 30x (Simplify)

2
13 500 – x – 30x = 30x (Remove brackets)
x2 + 60x – 13 500 = 0 (Write in standard form)

(x – 90)(x + 150) = 0 (Factorize)
Either (x – 90) = 0 or x + 150 = 0
 x = 90 (Ignore x = -150)
 = = 50
EXERCISES
1. Three boys want to buy a canoe. Each boy is willing to pay a third of the cost. They then
calculate that each boy will have to pay R1000 less if they could get the help of one more boy to
share the cost of the canoe equally with them. Calculate the cost of the canoe.
2. Two pencils and three exercise books cost R65. Six pencils and a dozen exercise books cost
R180. Calculate the cost of one pencil and one exercise book.
3. A shopkeeper orders a certain number of glasses for which he pays R150. A mishap causes ten
of the glasses to be broken. Nevertheless, by selling each of the remaining glasses at R4 more
per glass, he manages to make a profit of R30 on the whole transaction. How many glasses did
he originally order and at what price each.
4. The angles of a triangle are such that if both angles at the base are doubles, then the other angle
will be halved. One angle at the base is 100 more than the other angle at the base. Calculate the
angles of a triangle.
5. A man has been saving a fifth of his annual salary. His annual salary increases by R2 500, and he
can save a quarter of his new salary. He finds that he now saves R3 000 per year more than
before. What was his original annual income?
6. A sports club currently charges a single member an annual fee of R1 000. The family
membership is R1 500 per year. The club plans to raise all membership fees by an amount of Rx
per year. When this increase has been applied, the single membership will cost of the family
membership. Calculate the value of x.
7. A shop-owner buys 300 loaves of bread at R480 per hundred. He decides to donate one-sixth of
the loaves to a charity for homeless people. At what price per loaf must he sell the remaining
loaves so that he neither gains nor loses any money?

8. A farmer bought some sheep for R7 200. A tenth of them died and she sold the rest at R25 more
for each one than she had paid for them. She made a profit of R180. How many sheep did she
buy?
9. A tin contains 65 coins, some of which are 10c pieces and some 5c pieces. If the total value is
R4.50, how many are 10c pieces?
PROBLEMS INVOLVING SPEED, DISTANCE AND TIME
PROBLEM 1
Two cars A and B, starting at the same time and place, travel in the same direction at 80 km/h and 60
km/h respectively. After how many hours will they be 100 km apart?
SOLUTION
METHOD 1
Let the time taken by car A and Car B be t.
Car A Car B Relationship

SPEED 80 km/h 60 km/h
DISTANCE 80t 60t 80t – 60t = 100
80t – 60t = 100
20t = 100 (Simplify LHS)
t = 5 hrs (Divide throughout by 20)
Therefore car A and car B will be 100 km apart after 5 hours
SOLUTION
METHOD 2
Let the time taken by car A and Car B be t and distance travelled by car A and car B be (x + 100) km and x
km respectively.

SPEED
DISTANCE x + 100 x

x + 100 – x = 20t (Multiply throughout by t)
100 = 20t (Simplify LHS)
 t = 5 hrs (Divide throughout by 20)
PROBLEM 1
SOLUTION
METHOD 3
Let the time taken by car A and Car B be t and distance travelled by car A and car B be (x + 100) km and x
km respectively

TIME
DISTANCE x + 100 x
LCD = 240
3(x + 100) = 4x (Multiply throughout by 240)
3x + 300 = 4x (Simplify LHS)
3x – 4x = -300 (Variables on LHS and numerals on RHS)
t= = = 5 hrs

PROBLEM 1
SOLUTION
METHOD 4
Let the time taken by car A and Car B be t and distance travelled by car A and car B be x km and (x – 100)
km respectively

TIME
DISTANCE x x - 100
LCD = 240
3x = 4(x – 100) (Multiply throughout by 240)
3x = 4x – 400 (Simplify RHS)
3x – 4x = -400 (Variables on LHS and numerals on RHS)
-x = - 400 (Simplify LHS)
t= = 5 hrs

PROBLEM 1
SOLUTION
METHOD 5
Let the distance travelled by car A and car B be x km and y km respectively

SPEED 80 km/h 60 km/h
DISTANCE x y x – y = 100
TIME
x – y = 100
 x = (y +100) (1)
LCD = 240
3x = 4y
3x – 4y = 0 (2)
Substitute x = (y +100) from (1) in (2)
3(y +100)-4y = 0
3y + 300 – 4y = 0 (Remove brackets)
3y – 4y = -300 (Variables on LHS and numerals on RHS)
-y = -300 (Collect like terms)

y= 300 (Divide throughout by -1)
Substituting y = 300 from (3) in (1) yields
x = (y +100)= (300 +100)=400
t= = 5 hrs
PROBLEM 2
Two cars A and B depart simultaneously from the same place. Travelling in one direction, the two cars
will be 150 km apart in 6 hours; while, travelling in opposite directions, the two cars will be 700 km apart
in 4 hrs. Calculate their speeds.
SOLUTION
METHOD 1
Let car A travel at x km/h and car B at y km/h

SPEED x y
DISTANCE 6x 6y 6x – 6y = 150
(SAME DIRECTION)
DISTANCE 4x 4y 4x + 4y = 700
(OPPOSITE DIRECTION)
6x – 6y = 150
x – y = 25 (1)
4x + 4y = 700
x + y = 175 (2)
(1) + (2): 2x = 200

x = 100 (3)
(2) - (1): 2y = 150

y = 75 (4)
Therefore car A travels at 100 km/h and car B travels at 75 km/h

PROBLEM 2
SOLUTION
METHOD 2

SPEED x
DISTANCE 6x 6x - 150
(SAME DIRECTION)
DISTANCE 4x 4x + 4(
4x + 4(
4x + 4(x – 25) = 700 (Simplify term in brackets)
4x + 4x – 100 = 700 (Remove brackets)
4x + 4x = 700 + 100 (Variables on LHS and numerals on RHS)
x = 100

= = = =75
PROBLEM 2
SOLUTION
METHOD 3

SPEED x
DISTANCE 6x + 150 6x
(SAME DIRECTION)
DISTANCE 4x 4(
4(
4(x + 25) + 4x = 700 (Simplify term in brackets)
4x + 100 + 4x = 700 (Remove brackets)
4x + 4x = 700 - 100 (Variables on LHS and numerals on RHS)
x = 75 km/h

= = = = 100 km/h
PROBLEM 2
SOLUTION
METHOD 4
Let the distance travelled by car A be x

TIME 6 hrs 6 hrs
DISTANCE x x - 150
(SAME DIRECTION)
DISTANCE 4( ) 4( 4(
SPEED
4(
LCD = 6
4x + 4(x – 150) = 4 200 (Multiply throughout by 6)
4x + 4x – 600 = 4 200 (Remove brackets)
4x + 4x = 4 200 + 600 (Variables on LHS and numerals on RHS)

= 100 km/h (Substitute x = 600)
(Substitute x = 600)
PROBLEM 2
SOLUTION
METHOD 5
Let the distance travelled by car A be x

TIME 4 hrs 4 hrs
DISTANCE 6( ) 6( ) 6( ) - 6( ) = 150
(SAME DIRECTION)
DISTANCE x 700 - x
SPEED
6( ) - 6( ) = 150
LCD = 4
6x – 6(700 – x) = 600 (Multiply throughout by 4)
6x – 4 200 + 6x = 600 (Remove brackets)
6x + 6x = 600 + 4 200 (Variables on LHS and numerals on RHS)

PROBLEM 3
Two cars A and B depart simultaneously from the same place. A travels 5 km/h faster than B. The two
cars travel the same duration of time in either of the two directions. The distance that they are far apart
when travelling in opposite directions is 45 times the distance that they are far apart when travelling in
the same direction. Calculate their speeds.
SOLUTION
METHOD 1
Let the time taken by each car A and B be t and their speeds be (x + 5) km/h and x km/h respectively.

TIME t t
SPEED x+5 x
DISTANCE (x + 5)t xt (x + 5)t – xt = y
(SAME DIRECTION)
DISTANCE (x + 5)t xt (x + 5)t + xt = 45y
(x + 5)t – xt = y
 5t = y (1)
(x + 5)t + xt = 45y
 2xt + 5t = 45y (2)
2xt + 5t = 45(5t) (Substitute y = 5t from (1) in (2))
2xt + 5t = 225t
2xt – 220t = 0
 2t(x – 110) = 0
x – 110 = 0 (Ignore 2t = 0)

 x = 110 and (x + 5) = 115
Therefore, Car A travels at 115 km/h and car B travels at 110 km/h
PROBLEM 3
Two cars A and B depart simultaneously from the same place. A travels 5 km/h faster than B. The two
cars travel the same duration of time in either of the two directions. The distance that they are far apart
when travelling in opposite directions is 45 times the distance that they are far apart when travelling in
the same direction. Calculate their speeds.
SOLUTION
METHOD 2
Let the speed of car A and car B be x km/h and y km/h respectively.
Then the distance between them in 1 hour when travelling in the same direction will be
x–y=5 (1)
The distance between them in 1 hour when travelling in opposite direction will be
x + y = 5x45
 x + y = 225 (2)
(1) + (2) 2x = 230

 x = 115
(2) – (1):2y= 220

 y = 110
Therefore, Car A travels at 115 km/h and car B travels at 110 km/h

PROBLEM 4
Car A travels faster than car B. If car A and car B travel in the same direction, then the distance between
them is 60 km; while, if they travel in opposite directions, then the distance between them is 600 km. If
the time taken by each car to travel in either direction is 3 hours, then calculate the distance that each
car travels in 1 hour.
SOLUTION
METHOD 1
Let the distance travelled by car A and car B in 1 hour be x and y respectively

TIME 3 hrs 3 hrs
DISTANCE 3x 3y 3x – 3y = 60
(SAME DIRECTION)
DISTANCE 3x 3y 3x + 3y = 600
3x – 3y = 60
 x – y = 20 (1)
3x + 3y = 600
x + y = 200 (2)
(1) +(2):2x = 220

 x = 110

(2) –(1): 2y = 180

y = 90
Therefore, Car A covers 110 km in 1 hour and car B covers 90 km in 1 hour
PROBLEM 4
SOLUTION
METHOD 2
Let car A cover 3x km in 3 hrs
Then car B will cover (3x – 60) km in 3 hrs.
 car B will cover (x - 20) km in 1 hr

TIME 3 hrs 3 hrs
DISTANCE 3x (3x – 60)
(SAME DIRECTION)
DISTANCE 3x (3x – 60) 3x + (3x – 60) = 600
3x + (3x – 60) = 600
3x + 3x – 60 = 600 (Remove brackets)

(x – 20) = 110 – 20 (Substitution)
= 90
PROBLEM 4
SOLUTION
METHOD 3
Let car B cover 3x km in 3 hrs
Then car A will cover (3x + 60) km in 3 hrs.
 car A will cover (x + 20) km in 1 hr

TIME 3 hrs 3 hrs
DISTANCE (3x + 60) 3x
(SAME DIRECTION)
DISTANCE (3x + 60) 3x (3x + 60) + 3x= 600
(3x + 60) + 3x= 600
3x + 60 + 3x = 600 (Remove brackets)
3x + 3x = 600 – 60 (Variables on LHS and numerals on RHS)
(x + 20) = 90 + 20 (Substitution)

PROBLEM 4
SOLUTION
METHOD 4
Let car A cover 3x km in 3 hrs
Then car B will cover (600 – 3x)in 3 hrs
 car B will cover (200 – x)

TIME 3 hrs 3 hrs
DISTANCE 3x (600 – 3x) 3x – (600 – 3x) = 60
(SAME DIRECTION)
DISTANCE 3x (600 – 3x)
3x – (600 – 3x) = 60
3x – 600 + 3x = 60 (Remove brackets)

(200 – x) = 200 – 110 (Substitution)
= 90
PROBLEM 4
SOLUTION
METHOD 5
Let car B cover 3x km in 3 hrs
Then car A will cover (600 – 3x)in 3 hrs
 car A will cover (200 – x)

TIME 3 hrs 3 hrs
DISTANCE (600 – 3x) 3x (600 – 3x) – 3x = 60
(SAME DIRECTION)
DISTANCE (600 – 3x) 3x
(600 – 3x) – 3x = 60
600 – 3x – 3x = 60 (Remove brackts)
-3x – 3x = 60 – 600 (Variables on LHS and numerals on RHS)
-6x = -540 (Collect like terms)

(200 – x) = 200 – 90 (Substitution)
= 110
EXERCISES
1. Two cars A and B depart simultaneously from the same place. A travels 20 km/h faster than B.
The two cars travel the same duration of time in either of the two directions. The distance that
they are far apart when travelling in opposite directions is 10 times the distance that they are
far apart when travelling in the same direction. Calculate their speeds.
2. Two cars A and B depart simultaneously from the same place. A travels 30 km/h faster than B.
The two cars travel the same duration of time in either of the two directions. The distance that
they are far apart when travelling in opposite directions is 9 times the distance that they are far
apart when travelling in the same direction. Calculate their speeds.
3. An athlete completed 50 km battalion in hours. She ran part of the way at an average speed
of 7 km/h, and cycled the rest at 28 km/h. How far did she run?
4. Two towns A and B are 320 km apart. A car starts off from town A and travels to town B at an
average speed of 120 km/h. A delivery van leaves tow B at the same time and travels at an
average speed of 80 km/h. How far from town A will they meet?
5. A man can row a boat at 5 km/h in still water. From the rowing club he can row upstream to a
bridge and back in 4 hours. The river is flowing at 2 km/h.
Note: “Upstream“ means that the man is rowing against the flow of the river, so the man’s
speed will be slower than his speed in still water. So speed upstream = (speed in still water) –
(speed of the river). “Downstream” means that the man is rowing with the flow of the river, so
he will go faster than his speed in still water. So the speed downstream = (speed in still water) +
(speed of the river).
a. What is the man’s speed if he rows upstream?
b. What is the man’s speed if he rows downstream?
c. Now calculate how far the bridge is from the rowing club.

d. Do the example in general terms, where the man’s speed in still water is v km/h, the
speed of the river is w km/h, and his total time is t hours.
e. What is the meaning of your answer if w = 0? Does it agree with the facts of the
problem?
f. What is the meaning of your answer if v = 0? Does it agree with the facts of the
problem?

More Ways To Kill A Cat

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MORE WAYS TO KILL A CAT

MORE WAYS TO KILL A CAT

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“There are more ways of killing a cat than drowning it in cream”

If one method is not effective, then try another.

SOLUTION OF WORD PROBLEMS

1.1 GENERAL PROCEDURE IN THE SOLUTION OF WORD PROBLEMS

1.2 PROBLEMS INVOLVING NUMBERS

1.3 PROBLEMS INVOLVING AGES

1.4 PROBLEMS INVOLVING PRICE CALCULATIONS AND COINS

1.5 PROBLEMS INVOLVING SPEED, DISTANCE AND TIME

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GENERAL PROCEDURE IN THE SOLUTION OF WORD PROBLEMS

Step 1: Construct Algebraic Formulae

Step 2: Formulate Algebraic Equation(s)

Step 3: Solve the Algebraic Equation

birds were flying?

Step 1: Construct Algebraic Formulae

Let the number of birds be x

Then half the number of birds will be

Step 2: Formulate Algebraic Equation(s)

Step 3: Solve the Algebraic Equation

2x + x + 2 = 200 (Multiply both sides by 2)

2x + x = 200 – 2 (Transfer numerals to RHS)

3x = 198 Collect like terms)

Therefore, the correct answer is C

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PROBLEMS INVOLVING NUMBERS

Show me the answer.

Let the number of birds be x

Then half the number of birds will be

2x + x + 2 = 200 (Multiply both sides by 2)

2x + x = 200 – 2 (Transfer numerals to RHS)

3x = 198 (Collect like terms)

Therefore, the correct answer is C

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“How many birds and hares do you count?”

The servant replied: “I count six heads and sixteen legs.”

How many birds and hares were killed?

Let the number of birds be x

Then the number of hares will be (6 – x)

2x+ 4(6 – x) = 16 (A bird has 2 legs and a hare has 4 legs)

2x – 4x = 16 – 24 (Take numerals to RHS)

-2x = - 8 (Collect like terms)

x=4 (Divide throughout by -2)

Therefore, 4 birds and 2 hares were killed

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Let the number of birds be x ; and

The number of hares be y

(There are six animals)

(3)-(1): y=2 ……….(4)

Substitute y = 2 from (4) in (1):

Therefore, 4 birds and 2 hares were killed

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Show me the answer.

Let the boy finish chopping a pile of wood in x hours,

Therefore in 1 hour, he would have chopped

In 6 hours, a man finishes chopping a pile of wood.

Therefore in 1 hour, would have chopped

But in 2 hours, the man has finished

So the outstanding portion of wood to be chopped is

Together in 3 hours, the man and the boy: 3( + ) =

Multiply throughout by 6x: Therefore, 18 + 3x = 4x