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Course: Praxis Core Math > Unit 1

Lesson 2: Number and quantity
Test prep
Praxis Core Math
Lessons
Number and quantity
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Pre-algebra word problems | Lesson

Google Classroom

What are pre-algebra word problems?

Pre-algebra word problems are questions that require translating sentences to expressions, then evaluating those expressions.
The expressions we need to write will involve numbers and operations, but no variables.

What skills are tested?

  • Solving real world problems by identifying relevant numbers and operations
  • Identifying contexts where the answer must be rounded up or down

How do we solve pre-algebra word problems?

Solving pre-algebra word problems requires us to create expressions and evaluate them.
To solve a pre-algebra word problem:
  1. Identify the quantity to be calculated.
  2. Determine the operations and numbers needed to calculate the desired quantity.
  3. Write and evaluate the expressions to get the desired quantity.
  4. If the context requires rounding, round the answer.

Your turn!

TRY: FINDING THE GROUP SIZE
In a classroom, there are 7 groups of desks, and each group has the same number of desks. The math teacher distributes one calculator to each desk. If out of 37 calculators all but 2 are distributed, how many desks are in each group?
Choose 1 answer:

TRY: CALCULATING A WEIGHT
When carrying a large backpack and four liters of water, Yogi weighs 225.6 pounds. If the backpack weighs 55.4 pounds and the water weighs 8.8 pounds, what is Yogi's weight without the backpack and the water?
Choose 1 answer:

TRY: FINDING THE LEAST NUMBER NEEDED
A florist needs to make 25 centerpieces for a large wedding reception. Each centerpieces requires 7 roses. If the florist can only buy roses by the dozen, what is the least number of roses that the florist must buy?
  • Your answer should be
  • an integer, like 6
  • a simplified proper fraction, like 3/5
  • a simplified improper fraction, like 7/4
  • a mixed number, like 1 3/4
  • an exact decimal, like 0.75
  • a multiple of pi, like 12 pi or 2/3 pi

TRY: FINDING AN UNKNOWN SUM
In the figure above, the product of the three numbers in the horizontal row is equal to the sum of the four numbers in the vertical column. What is the value of x+y ?
Choose 1 answer:

Things to remember

Solving pre-algebra word problems requires us to create expressions and evaluate them.
To solve an pre-algebra word problem:
  1. Identify the quantity to be calculated.
  2. Determine the operations and numbers needed to calculate the desired quantity.
  3. Write and evaluate the expressions to get the desired quantity.
  4. If the context requires rounding, round the answer.

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