How to Solve Math Problems With Missing Information
Working with unknown quantities in math is the most fundamental skill you learn when starting algebra. Unknown quantities are represented by letters known as variables, and inserted into a formula or equation. Solving for an unknown variable requires you to know the basic operations of math and how to implement them. During your study of math, you will encounter word problems with unknown variables, so you need to be able to translate them into equations and solve.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Read through the word problem carefully. Write down all known values.
-
2
Assign a variable to each unknown quantity.
-
-
3
Translate the word problem into an equation or a series of equations.
-
4
Combine like terms, meaning groups of variables raised to the same exponent. Numerical coefficient is irrelevant. For example, you could combine 2x and 5x, or 3x^2 and 2x^2. You could not combine x^2 and 3x.
-
5
Isolate the variables whose quantity you want to find. Cancel out all other values on its side of the equation and performing the same operation on the opposite side. For example, if you want to solve for x in the equation 4x + 30 = 90, subtract 30 from both sides, leaving you with 4x = 60. Then, divide by 4. The quantity of x is 15.
-
6
Substitute your solved variable's quantity into the original equation and verify it. When calculating algebraic expressions, follow the order of operations: parenthetical expressions, exponents, multiplications/division, then addition/subtraction. Performing these steps out of order can yield the wrong result.
-
1
