Page 94 - Mathematics

Solving word problems involving
linear equations x + 4x = 50
Solving word problems on linear equations 5x = 50
involve formulating the corresponding x = 50
5
equations. The formulation of an equation = 10
requires careful interpretation of the given Therefore, the age of the son is 10
word problem. Once the equation has years.
been formulated, the usual procedures for
solving the equation are used. Example 5.28

Example 5.26 The sum of two consecutive integers
Tanzania Institute of Education
is 31. Find the smaller number.
If John has 5,600 Tanzanian shillings,
how many oranges can he buy if Solution
each orange costs 200 Tanzanian Since the two numbers are
shillings? consecutive, then if the first integer
is n, the second integer is n + 1
Solution
1) 31=
Let x be the number of oranges Thus, n + (n + 2n +=
1 31
that John can buy. The cost of x 2n = 30
oranges is Tshs 200x. 2 30

Thus, 200x 5600 n =
2
2
5600 n = 15
x =
200 Therefore, the smaller number is 15.
= 28.
Therefore, John can buy 28 oranges.

Example 5.29
Example 5.27 A father is 32 years older than his
son. After 4 years, the father’s age
The age of a father is four times the will be twice the age of his son. Find
Mathematics Form One is 50 years, find the age of the son. Solution
age of his son. If the sum of their ages
their present ages.

Solution
Let x be the son’s present age.
Let x be the age of the son. Thus,
Thus, the father’s present age is
the age of the father is 4x years. It
(x + 32) years.
follows that,

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Mathematics form 1.indd 88 25/10/2024 09:51:29
Mathematics form 1.indd 88