Word Problems Glossary And Steps

Front 1

Balance

Back 1

beginning balance is the principal in interest problems, ending balance is the principal plus interest acquired

Front 2

compounded

Back 2

in interest problems, the interest is to be added to the principal at specific intervals and used in the computation of the next interest amount

Front 3

dividend

Back 3

in interest problems, the amount of interest paid

Front 4

Percentage change/percent rise/percent difference etc

Back 4

found by dividing the actual amount of change by the numerical starting point then converting to a percent

Front 5

principal

Back 5

the amount of money invested or loaned upon which interest is paid

Front 6

quotient

Back 6

the result obtained by dividing

Front 7

rate

Back 7

how fast an object moves (speed)

Front 8

simple interest

Back 8

interest calculated by multiplying the principal with the interest rate with the length of time of the investment: I=prt

Front 9

velocity

Back 9

the speed, or rate at which an object moves

Front 10

steps 1-7 (of the problems after the method in the SAT book)

Back 10

1. identify what is being asked
2. underline and pull out information you are given in the problem.
3. If you can, set up an equation or some straightforward system with the given information.
4. Identify whether all the given information is necessary to solve the problem
5. carefully solve the equation or work the necessary computation
6. double check that you answered the question
7. Ask yourself whether the question is reasonable...

Front 11

Step 1

Back 11

Identify what is being asked... whatever that is find it and CIRCLE IT... helps ensure you're solving for what is being asked

Front 12

Step 2

Back 12

Underline and pull out information you're given... draw a picture if you can, helps know what you have and can point you to a relationship or equation

Front 13

step 4

Back 13

identify whether all the given information is necessary to solve the problem. Choose what you need, and don't spend needless energy on irrelevent information

Front 14

step 5

Back 14

carefully solve the equation or work the necessary computation. Be sure you're working in the same units... keep consistant

Front 15

step six

Back 15

double-check you answered the question: one of the most common errors in answering word problems is the failure to answer what was actually being asked

Front 16

step 7

Back 16

check whether the answer is reasonable: Check to make sure that an error in computation or a mistake in setting up your equation did not give you a ridiculous answer.