1)  Draw a picture and label it if it would help.

2)  Choose a formula and make a chart if it would help:

Rate x Time = Distance

mi/h       h            mi

km/h      h            km

m/s        s             m

Principal (amount $ invested) x Interest Rate (written as a decimal) = $ Interest (simple interest)

Value of one coin (in $ or cents) x # of coins =  Total Value (in $ or cents)

Price of one item x # of items = Total Cost

Wage per hour x # of hours worked = $ Earned

Work rate  x  # of hours worked  = Work finished

Work rate= 1 job/time it would take to do the whole thing alone  

Price per pound x # of pounds = Total Cost

Price per kg x # of kg = Total Cost

% pure substance x amount = total pure substance   (juice, acid, alcohol, etc.)

3)  Fill in the knowns.  Make sure that you use consistent units in your chart.  Use all dollars or all cents.  If your rate is in miles per hour, your time must be in hours.  To convert minutes to hours, put the minutes/60 and reduce to get a fraction of an hour. 

4)  Chose one variable for an unknown.  Describe other unknowns in terms of your variable.

5)  Use the formula at the top to complete the chart.

6)  Add a new piece of information and write an equation.  Ask yourself these questions:

 Do two things add up to something?

Are two things equal?

Does Something – something = something?

7)  Solve the equation.  Answer the question.  Put a label!

Looking for a tutor in Santa Cruz,

Capitola, or Scotts Valley, California?  

Please check my "current openings" page to see if I am accepting new students.