Math 91         
Group Assignment

Applied Problems

OBJECTIVE: Learn to solve real-life problems using algebra.
INSTRUCTIONS: Work with your group members and solve each problem. Follow the
steps listed bellow. Be neat and complete.
Turn in your paper for credit at the end of the class on ______________.

The steps in problem solving:

1. Familiarize yourself with the situation described in the problem. Then assign a variable
to one of the unknown quantities.
2. Translate the situation of the problem into mathematical language (write an equation
involving the variable).
3. Solve the equation (show all steps).
4. Check your answer with the original problem.
5. State the answer to the problem in a complete sentence.

 

1. A salesperson in a local furniture store is paid a base salary of $300 per week and 4% commission on his gross sales. What weekly gross sales are required to earn him $600?


2. Two search and rescue teams leave base at the same time looking for a lost boy. The first
team, on foot, heads north at 2mph and the other, on horseback, south at 4mph. How long will it take them to search the distance of 21 miles between them?

 

3. A flower shop sells roses for $3 each and orchids for $7 each. A man spends
$69 buying a certain number of orchids and three more than that many roses.
How many roses did he buy?