WORD PROBLEMS ON SIMPLE EQUATIONS

Word Problems on Simple Equations :

In this section, we will learn, how to solve word problems using simple equations.

There is a simple trick behind solving word problems using simple equations.

The picture shown below tells us the trick.

Word Problems on Simple Equations - Examples

Example 1 :

18 is taken away from 8 times of a number is 30. Find the number.

Solution :

Let "x" be the number.

Given : 18 is taken away from 8 times of the number is 30

Then, we have

8x - 18 = 30

Add 18 to both sides.

8x = 48

Divide both sides by 8.

x = 6

Hence, the number is 6.

Example 2 :

The denominator of a fraction exceeds the numerator by 5. If 3 be added to both, the fraction becomes 3/4. Find the fraction.

Solution :

Let "x" be the numerator.

"The denominator of the fraction exceeds the numerator"

From the above information,

Fraction = x / (x + 5) ----------(1)

"If 3 be added to both, the fraction becomes 3 / 4"

From the above information, we have

(x+3) / (x + 5 + 3) = 3 / 4

Simplify.

(x + 3) / (x + 8) = 3/4

4(x + 3) = 3(x + 8)

4x + 12 = 3x + 24

x = 12

Plug x = 12 in (1)

Fraction = 12 / (12 + 5)

Fraction = 12 / 17

Hence, the required fraction is 12 / 17.

Example 3 :

If thrice of A's age 6 years ago be subtracted from twice his present age, the result would be equal to his present age. Find A's present age.

Solution :

Let "x" be A's present age.

A's age 6 years ago = x - 6

Thrice of A's age 6 years ago = 3(x-6)

Twice his present age = 2x

Given : Thrice of A's age 6 years ago be subtracted from twice his present age, the result would be equal to his present age.

So, we have

2x - 3(x - 6) = x

Simplify.

2x - 3x + 18 = x

- x + 18 = x

18 = 2x

Divide both sides by 2.

9 = x

Hence, A's present age is 9 years.

Example 4 :

A number consists of two digits. The digit in the tens place is twice the digit in the units place. If 18 be subtracted from the number, the digits are reversed. Find the number.

Solution :

Let "x" be the digit in units place.

Then, the digit in the tens place = 2x

So, the number is (2x)x.

Given : If 18 be subtracted from the number, the digits are reversed.

So, we have

(2x)x - 18 = x(2x)

10 ⋅ (2x) + 1 ⋅ x - 18 = 10 ⋅ x + 1 ⋅ (2x)

Simplify.

20x + x - 18 = 10x + 2x

21x - 18 = 12x

9x = 18

Divide both sides by 9.

x = 2

The digit at the units place is 2.

Then, the digit at the tens place is

= 2 ⋅ 2

= 4

Hence the required number is 42.

Example 5 :

For a certain commodity, the demand equation giving demand "d" in kg, for a price "p" in dollars per kg. is d = 100(10 - p). The supply equation giving the supply "s" in kg. for a price "p" in dollars per kg is s = 75(p - 3). Find the equilibrium price.

Solution :

The equilibrium price is the market price where the quantity of goods demanded is equal to the quantity of goods supplied.

So, we have

d = s

100(10 - p) = 75(p - 3)

Simplify.

1000 - 100p = 75p - 225

1225 = 175p

Divide both sides by 175.

7 = p

Hence, the equilibrium price is $7.

Example 6 :

The fourth part of a number exceeds the sixth part by 4. Find the number.

Solution :

Let "x" be the required number.

Fourth part of the number = x/4

Sixth part of the number = x/6

Given : The fourth part of a number exceeds the sixth part by 4.

x/4 - x/6 = 4

L.C.M of (4, 6) is 12.

(3x/12) - (2x/12) = 4

Simplify.

(3x - 2x) / 12 = 4

x / 12 = 4

Multiply both sides by 12.

x = 48

Hence, the required number is 48.

Example 7 :

The width of the rectangle is 2/3 of its length. If the perimeter of the rectangle is 80 cm. Find its area.

Solution :

Let "x" be the length of the rectangle.

Then, width of the rectangle is 2x / 3

Given : Perimeter is 80cm.

Perimeter = 80 cm

2 ⋅ (l + w) = 80

Divide both sides by 2.

l + w = 40

Plug l = x and w = 2x / 3.

x + 2x / 3 = 40

Simplify.

(3x + 2x) / 3 = 40

5x / 3 = 40

Multiply both sides by 3/5.

x = 24

The length is 24 cm.

Then, the width is

= 2x / 3

= (2 ⋅ 24) / 3

= 16 cm

Formula to find the area of a rectangle is

= l ⋅ w

Plug l = 24 and w = 16.

= 24 ⋅ 16

= 384

Hence, area of the rectangle is 384 square cm.

Example 8 :

In a triangle, the second angle is 5° more than the first angle. And the third angle is three times of the first angle. Find the three angles of the triangle.

Solution :

Let x° be the first angle.

Then, we have

the second angle = x° + 5°

third angle = 3 ⋅ x°

We know that the sum of three angle in any triangle is 180°.

x° + (x° + 5°) + (3 ⋅ x°) = 180°

x + x + 5 + 3x = 180

Simplify.

5x + 5 = 180

Subtract 5 from both sides.

5x = 175