Solving one step equations word problems is a crucial skill in mathematics. These problems involve using algebraic expressions to represent real-life situations, allowing you to find unknown values easily.
In this guide, we will provide step-by-step instructions to solve one step equations word problems, making the process as simple as possible.
What are One Step Equations Word Problems?
One step equations are algebraic expressions that require only one operation, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division, to find the unknown value.
Word problems, on the other hand, are math problems presented in the form of a story or real-life situation.
One step equations word problems combine these two concepts, requiring you to use a single operation to solve a problem described in words.
Examples Of One Step Equations Word Problems
Example 1: Addition
Problem: James has 12 apples. He receives some more apples from his friend. After that, he has a total of 25 apples. How many apples did his friend give him?
Step 1: Identify the known and unknown values.
- Known values: James has 12 apples initially and ends up with 25 apples.
- Unknown value: The number of apples James receives from his friend.
Step 2: Create a one step equation to represent the problem. Let x represent the number of apples James receives from his friend. The equation will be:
12 + x = 25
Step 3: Solve the equation for x. Subtract 12 from both sides:
x = 25 – 12 x = 13
Solution: James received 13 apples from his friend.
Example 2: Subtraction
Problem: Sarah had $50 in her wallet. After buying a toy, she has $35 left. How much did the toy cost?
Step 1: Identify the known and unknown values.
- Known values: Sarah has $50 initially and $35 left after buying the toy.
- Unknown value: The cost of the toy.
Step 2: Create a one step equation to represent the problem. Let x represent the cost of the toy. The equation will be:
50 – x = 35
Step 3: Solve the equation for x. Add x to both sides and subtract 35 from both sides:
x = 50 – 35 x = 15
Solution: The toy cost $15.
Example 3: Multiplication
Problem: A factory produces 250 identical widgets every hour. How many widgets will the factory produce in 8 hours?
Step 1: Identify the known and unknown values.
- Known values: The factory produces 250 widgets per hour and operates for 8 hours.
- Unknown value: The total number of widgets produced.
Step 2: Create a one step equation to represent the problem. Let x represent the total number of widgets produced. The equation will be:
250 * 8 = x
Step 3: Solve the equation for x. Multiply 250 by 8:
x = 2000
Solution: The factory will produce 2000 widgets in 8 hours.
Example 4: Division
Problem: A pizza is divided into 8 equal slices. If each person gets 2 slices, how many people can share the pizza?
Step 1: Identify the known and unknown values.
- Known values: The pizza has 8 slices, and each person gets 2 slices.
- Unknown value: The number of people sharing the pizza.
Step 2: Create a one step equation to represent the problem. Let x represent the number of people who can share the pizza. The equation will be:
8 / 2 = x
Step 3: Solve the equation for x. Divide 8 by 2:
x = 4
Solution: Four people can share the pizza.
Final Thoughts
One step equations word problems are an essential part of mathematics, as they help build problem-solving skills and teach us how to represent real-life situations using algebraic expressions.
By following the step-by-step instructions provided in this guide, you can easily solve one step equations word problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division.
Remember to identify the known and unknown values, create an equation to represent the problem, and solve the equation to find the answer. With practice, you will become more confident and efficient in solving these types of problems.