Mixed Operations Word Problems

In this lesson, we will explore how to solve word problems that require mixed operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. These problems often involve multiple steps and require careful reading to identify the operations needed.

Steps to Solve Mixed Operations Word Problems:

1. Read the Problem Carefully: Understand what is being asked.
2. Identify the Operations: Determine which mathematical operations are needed.
3. Set Up Equations: Translate the words into mathematical equations.
4. Solve the Equations: Perform the calculations step by step.
5. Check Your Work: Ensure that the answer makes sense in the context of the problem.

Example Problem:

Problem: Sarah has 12 apples. She gives 4 apples to her friend and then buys 8 more apples. How many apples does Sarah have now?

Steps:

1. Identify the operations: We need to perform subtraction and addition.
2. Set Up the Equations:
   • First, subtract the apples given away: $\text{Apples after giving away} = 12 - 4$
   • Then, add the apples bought: $\text{Total Apples} = (12 - 4) + 8$
3. Solve the Equations:
   • Calculate the first part: $12 - 4 = 8$
   • Now add the apples bought: $8 + 8 = 16$
4. Final Answer: Sarah now has 16 apples.

Key Questions:

• What operations do you need to perform in this problem?
• How can you break down the problem into smaller steps?
• Did you check your final answer against the problem statement?

Keywords:

• Mixed Operations
• Word Problems
• Addition
• Subtraction
• Multiplication
• Division
• Equation
• Solve