Math is a subject that is not only useful, but also helps children develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. One of the concepts that students learn in math is how to solve word problems involving linear equations. Linear equations are equations that represent a straight line when plotted on a graph. In this article, we will explore the basics of solving word problems involving linear equations and show how this knowledge can be applied in real-life situations.

Let’s start with an example of a word problem. Imagine you have $20 and you want to buy a toy that costs $10. You also want to buy some candy that costs $2. How much money will you have left after buying the toy and candy?

To solve this problem, we can write a linear equation. Let x be the amount of money you have left after buying the toy and candy. Then, the equation will look like this: x + 10 + 2 = 20.

Next, we need to isolate x on one side of the equation by subtracting 10 and 2 from both sides: x = 20 – 10 – 2 = 8. This means that you will have $8 left after buying the toy and candy.

Now let’s consider another example. Imagine you want to build a bookshelf that is 3 feet tall. The bookshelf is made of 2 pieces of wood that are 1 foot long each. How much wood do you need to build the bookshelf?

To solve this problem, we can write another linear equation. Let x be the length of the wood that you need. Then, the equation will look like this: 1x + 1x = 3.

Next, we need to simplify the equation by combining the two x terms on one side: 2x = 3. Finally, we need to find the value of x by dividing both sides of the equation by 2: x = 3 / 2 = 1.5. This means that you need 1.5 feet of wood to build the bookshelf.

In conclusion, solving word problems involving linear equations is an important skill for kids to learn in math. By using linear equations, children can model real-life situations mathematically and find solutions to problems they encounter in their daily lives. Whether it’s calculating the amount of money they have left after buying something, or determining the amount of wood they need to build a bookshelf, linear equations are a powerful tool that kids can use to become better problem solvers.