Favorite Math Problem
Problem: This year, Caylie will be 2 years from being twice as old as Kevin.
The sum of Caylie's age and three time Kevin's age is 68.
How old is Caylie?
Hint 1:
How would you represent Caylie's age?
Hint 2:
How would you represent Kevin's age?
Hint 3:
Use rules of algebra!
Hint 4:
Remember what represents Caylie and what represents Kevin!
Solution: Let x represent Kevin
Let 2x-2 represent Caylie
It says that the sum of Caylie's age and three times Kevin's age is 68, so
combine (2x-2) and 3(x) and set equal to 68 -->
(2x-2)+3x= 68
Use rules of algebra and combine!
5x-2=68
Add two from each side
5x=70
Divide each side by 5
x=14
Since x is Kevin's age we know that Kevin is 14!
To find Caylie's age, we must plug in for x.
2(14)-2=?
Caylie's age is 26!
Modified from: ThoughtCo. Word Problems #2
The sum of Caylie's age and three time Kevin's age is 68.
How old is Caylie?
Hint 1:
How would you represent Caylie's age?
Hint 2:
How would you represent Kevin's age?
Hint 3:
Use rules of algebra!
Hint 4:
Remember what represents Caylie and what represents Kevin!
Solution: Let x represent Kevin
Let 2x-2 represent Caylie
It says that the sum of Caylie's age and three times Kevin's age is 68, so
combine (2x-2) and 3(x) and set equal to 68 -->
(2x-2)+3x= 68
Use rules of algebra and combine!
5x-2=68
Add two from each side
5x=70
Divide each side by 5
x=14
Since x is Kevin's age we know that Kevin is 14!
To find Caylie's age, we must plug in for x.
2(14)-2=?
Caylie's age is 26!
Modified from: ThoughtCo. Word Problems #2
Reflection: This is my favorite problem because it is applicable to real life and it uses critical thinking skills. This is a middle school algebra problem that can be modified to be more difficult or simpler depending on the level of the students in the classroom. I like these types of word problems because it is similar to a puzzle where you must solve each piece for the puzzle to fit together and come to a solution. One small change that can also be made to this problem to better relate to different students would be to use names of their peers, their friends, or their family members. This way they are more engaged in solving the problem.