Lesson 7

Practical Problems 2
Practical Problems 2

 In this lesson we will learn how to solve more

complex word problems.

 We will solve geometric applications.

Example 1 – Applications in
Geometry
 For this problem we are going to use a
triangle.
A

B C
 Example 1 – Applications in
Geometry
 Angle A is twice the size of Angle C. Angle B is 6 times
bigger than Angle C. Find the measure of angles A, B
and C.
A

Angles A + B + C = 180

B C
Example 1 – Applications in
Geometry
 We need to remember that the sum of the angles A,
B and C is 180.
 A + B + C = 180
 What we need to do is write Angles A and B in terms
of Angle C.
 A = twice the size of C = 2C so A = 2C
 B = 6 times bigger than C = 6C so B = 6C
 C=C and C = C
 Now we can replace A and B with their new values.
 A + B + C = 180
 (2C) + (6C) + C = 180 (now we need to solve for C)
Example 1 – Applications in
Geometry
 (2C) + (6C) + C = 180 combine like terms
 9C = 180 divide both sides by 9
9C 180
=
9 9
 C = 20
 Now we need to find the measure of Angles A, B and C.
 A = 2C = 2(20) = 40 Angle A = 40
 B = 6C = 6(20) = 120 Angle B = 120
 C = C = 20 Angle C = 20

 Does Angle A + B + C = 180

(40) + (120) + (20) = 180?
180 = 180 YES! We have the correct solution.
Example 2 – Real Life
Problem
 Mike throws a football 10 yards farther than John
throws a football. If their combined throws equal 70
yards, how far did Mike throw the ball?

 Write each of their throws in terms of x.

 John’s throw equals x yards
 Mike’s throw is 10 yards more than John’s throw which
equals x + 10 yards
 If their combined throws equals 70 yards then
 (Mikes throw) + (Johns throw) = 70 yards
 (x + 10) + (x) = 70 yards
Example 2 – Real Life
Problem
 (x + 10) + (x) = 70 yards
 Now we need to solve for x

 x + 10 + x = 70
 2x + 10 = 70 combine like terms
 2x + 10 – 10 = 70 – 10 subtract 10 from both sides
 2x = 60 divide both sides by 2
2 x 60
=
2 2
 x = 30 yards
Example 2 – Real Life
Problems
 We found out that x = 30

 Check our answer

 (x + 10) + x = 70
 (30) + 10 + (30) = 70
 70 = 70 so x = 30 is a correct solution.

 But the problem wants to know how far did Mike throw the ball.

 Mike = (x + 10) = (30) + 10 = 40. Mike threw the ball 40 yards.

Example 3 – Applications in
Geometry
 In this first example we are going to do a
Geometry Application problem.

 We need to know 2 formulas for this problem.

 Perimeter of a rectangle is 2 times the length
plus two times the width.
 P = 2l + 2w
 Area of a rectangle is length times width.
 A = lw
Example 3 – Applications in
Geometry
 The problem:

 The length of a rectangle is 8 inches less than 4

times the width. If the perimeter of the rectangle is
34 inches, find the area of the rectangle.

 We first need to define what the length and the width

are. We are going to define length in terms of width
(length is going to equal something with width in it)
 Length = 4w – 8 (8 less than 4 times the width)
 Width = w
Example 3 – Applications in
Geometry
length

P = 2l + 2w width

Length = (4w – 8) l = (4w – 8)

Width = w w=w
Perimeter = 2l + 2w = 2(4w-8) + 2w
We know Perimeter = 34
34 = 2(4w-8) + 2w
Example 3 – Applications in
Geometry
 34 = 2(4w-8) + 2w ( we need to solve for w)
 34 = 8w – 16 + 2w ( first distribute the 2)
 34 = 10w – 16 ( combine like terms)
 34 + 16 = 10w – 16 + 16 ( add 16 to both
sides)
 50 = 10w (divide both sides by 10)
50 10 w
=
10 10
 5 = w ; the width = 5.
Example 3 – Applications in
Geometry
 We now know the width = 5.
 Length = (4w – 8); substitute w = 5 to find
the length.
 L = 4(5) – 8
 L = 20 – 8
 L = 12
 So W = 5 and L = 12
 But the question asked us to find the Area.
Example 3 – Applications in
Geometry
 Area = LW
 L = 12 , W = 5
 Area = (12)(5)
2
 Area = 60 inches

 So the area of the

2
rectangle is 60 inches
Try This.

 John and Mike are going to build a house.

Mike can hammer nails 1.5 times faster than
John. The must hammer 10,000 nails before
they can go home. How many nails must
they each hammer to get done.
Try this.

 John hammers x amount of nails.

 Mike can hammer nails 1.5 times faster than
John. Mike can hammer 1.5x nails.
 They need to hammer 10,000 nails.
 (Johns work) + (Mikes work) = 10,000 nails.
 x + 1.5x = 10,000 nails.
 Now we need to solve for x.
Try this.
 x + 1.5x = 10,000 combine like terms
 2.5x = 10,000 divide by 2.5
2.5 x 10,000
=
2.5 2. 5
 x = 4,000 now check your solution
 Mike hammers 1.5x nails = 1.5(4,000) = 6,000 nails
 John hammers x nails = 4,000 nails
 Mike + John = 10,000 nails
 6,000 + 4,000 = 10,000 nails
 10,000 = 10,000 nails CORRECT!
 Mike must hammer 6,000 nails and John must hammer 4,000
nails.