HAWKES LEARNING SYSTEMS
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Copyright © 2011 Hawkes Learning Systems.
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Hawkes Learning Systems:
Developmental Mathematics
Section 13.5: Applications
HAWKES LEARNING SYSTEMS
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Copyright © 2011 Hawkes Learning Systems.
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To Solve a Word Problem Containing
Rational Expressions
1. Read the problem carefully. Read it several times if
necessary.
2. Decide what is asked for and assign a variable to the
unknown quantity.
3. Draw a diagram or set up a chart whenever possible as a
visual aid.
4. Form an equation that relates the information provided.
5. Solve the equation.
6. Check your solution with the wording of the problem to be
sure it makes sense.
HAWKES LEARNING SYSTEMS
Copyright © 2011 Hawkes Learning Systems.
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math courseware specialists
Fractions
The denominator of a fraction is 8 more than the numerator. If both the numerator
and denominator are increased by 3, the new fraction is equal to 1 .
2
Find the original fraction.
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Copyright © 2011 Hawkes Learning Systems.
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math courseware specialists
Work Problems
A carpenter can build a certain type of patio cover in 6 hours. His partner
takes 8 hours to build the same cover. How long would it take them working
together to build this type of patio cover?
HAWKES LEARNING SYSTEMS
Copyright © 2011 Hawkes Learning Systems.
All rights reserved.
math courseware specialists
Work Problems
A man can wax his car three times faster than his daughter can. Together
they can do the job in 4 hours. How long would it take each of them working
alone?
HAWKES LEARNING SYSTEMS
Copyright © 2011 Hawkes Learning Systems.
All rights reserved.
math courseware specialists
Work Problems
A man was told that his new pool would fill through an inlet valve in 3 hours.
He knew something was wrong when the pool took 8 hours to fill. He found he
had left the drain valve open. How long would it take to drain the pool once it
is completely filled and only the drain valve is open?
HAWKES LEARNING SYSTEMS
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Distance-Rate-Time
On Lake Itasca a man can row his boat 5 miles per
hour. On the nearby Mississippi River it takes him
the same time to row 5 miles downstream as it
does to row 3 miles upstream. What is the speed
of the river current in miles per hour?
Copyright © 2011 Hawkes Learning Systems.
All rights reserved.
HAWKES LEARNING SYSTEMS
math courseware specialists
Distance-Rate-Time
If a passenger train travels three times as
fast as a freight train, and the freight train
takes 4 hours longer to travel 210 miles,
what is the speed of each train?
Copyright © 2011 Hawkes Learning Systems.
All rights reserved.