Word Problems on Linear Equations
Step-by-step application of linear equations to solve practical word problems:
1. The sum of two numbers is 25. One of the numbers exceeds the other by 9.
Find the numbers.
Number worksheets
Solution:
Then the other number = x + 9
Let the number be x.
Sum of two numbers = 25
According to question, x + x + 9 = 25
⇒ 2x + 9 = 25
⇒ 2x = 25 - 9 (transposing 9 to the R.H.S changes to -9)
⇒ 2x = 16
⇒ 2x/2 = 16/2 (divide by 2 on both the sides)
⇒x=8
Therefore, x + 9 = 8 + 9 = 17
Therefore, the two numbers are 8 and 17.
2. The difference between the two numbers is 48. The ratio of the two
numbers is 7:3. What are the two numbers?
Solution:
Let the common ratio be x.
Let the common ratio be x.
Their difference = 48
According to the question,
7x - 3x = 48
⇒ 4x = 48
⇒ x = 48/4
⇒ x = 12
Therefore, 7x = 7 × 12 = 84
3x = 3 × 12 = 36
Therefore, the two numbers are 84 and 36.
3. The length of a rectangle is twice its breadth. If the perimeter is 72
metre, find the length and breadth of the rectangle.
Solution:
Let the breadth of the rectangle be x,
Then the length of the rectangle = 2x
Perimeter of the rectangle = 72
Therefore, according to the question
2(x + 2x) = 72
⇒ 2 × 3x = 72
⇒ 6x = 72
⇒ x = 72/6
⇒ x = 12
We know, length of the rectangle = 2x
= 2 × 12 = 24
Therefore, length of the rectangle is 24 m and breadth of the rectangle is 12 m.
4. Aaron is 5 years younger than Ron. Four years later, Ron will be twice as
old as Aaron. Find their present ages.
Solution:
Let Ron’s present age be x.
Then Aaron’s present age = x - 5
After 4 years Ron’s age = x + 4, Aaron’s age x - 5 + 4.
According to the question;
Ron will be twice as old as Aaron.
Therefore, x + 4 = 2(x - 5 + 4)
⇒ x + 4 = 2(x - 1)
⇒ x + 4 = 2x - 2
⇒ x + 4 = 2x - 2
⇒ x - 2x = -2 - 4
⇒ -x = -6
⇒x=6
Therefore, Aaron’s present age = x - 5 = 6 - 5 = 1
Therefore, present age of Ron = 6 years and present age of Aaron = 1 year.
5. A number is divided into two parts, such that one part is 10 more than
the other. If the two parts are in the ratio 5 : 3, find the number and the
two parts.
Solution:
Let one part of the number be x
Then the other part of the number = x + 10
The ratio of the two numbers is 5 : 3
Therefore, (x + 10)/x = 5/3
⇒ 3(x + 10) = 5x
⇒ 3x + 30 = 5x
⇒ 30 = 5x - 3x
⇒ 30 = 2x
⇒ x = 30/2
⇒ x = 15
Therefore, x + 10 = 15 + 10 = 25
Therefore, the number = 25 + 15 = 40
The two parts are 15 and 25.
6. Robert’s father is 4 times as old as Robert. After 5 years, father will be
three times as old as Robert. Find their present ages.
Solution:
Let Robert’s age be x years.
Then Robert’s father’s age = 4x
After 5 years, Robert’s age = x + 5
Father’s age = 4x + 5
According to the question,
4x + 5 = 3(x + 5)
⇒ 4x + 5 = 3x + 15
⇒ 4x - 3x = 15 - 5
⇒ x = 10
⇒ 4x = 4 × 10 = 40
Robert’s present age is 10 years and that of his father’s age = 40 years.
7. The sum of two consecutive multiples of 5 is 55. Find these multiples.
Solution:
Let the first multiple of 5 be x.
Then the other multiple of 5 will be x + 5 and their sum = 55
Therefore, x + x + 5 = 55
⇒ 2x + 5 = 55
⇒ 2x = 55 - 5
⇒ 2x = 50
⇒ x = 50/2
⇒ x = 25
Therefore, the multiples of 5, i.e., x + 5 = 25 + 5 = 30
Therefore, the two consecutive multiples of 5 whose sum is 55 are 25 and 30.
8. The difference in the measures of two complementary angles is 12°. Find
the measure of the angles.
Solution:
Let the angle be x.
Complement of x = 90 - x
Given their difference = 12°
Therefore, (90 - x) - x = 12°
⇒ 90 - 2x = 12
⇒ -2x = 12 - 90
⇒ -2x = -78
⇒ 2x/2 = 78/2
⇒ x = 39
Therefore, 90 - x = 90 - 39 = 51
Therefore, the two complementary angles are 39° and 51°
9. The cost of two tables and three chairs is $705. If the table costs $40
more than the chair, find the cost of the table and the chair.
Solution:
The table cost $ 40 more than the chair.
Let us assume the cost of the chair to be x.
Then the cost of the table = $ 40 + x
The cost of 3 chairs = 3 × x = 3x and the cost of 2 tables 2(40 + x)
Total cost of 2 tables and 3 chairs = $705
Therefore, 2(40 + x) + 3x = 705
80 + 2x + 3x = 705
80 + 5x = 705
5x = 705 - 80
5x = 625/5
x = 125 and 40 + x = 40 + 125 = 165
Therefore, the cost of each chair is $125 and that of each table is $165.
10. If 3/5 ᵗʰ of a number is 4 more than 1/2 the number, then what is the
number?
Solution:
Let the number be x, then 3/5 ᵗʰ of the number = 3x/5
Also, 1/2 of the number = x/2
According to the question,
3/5 ᵗʰ of the number is 4 more than 1/2 of the number.
⇒ 3x/5 - x/2 = 4
⇒ (6x - 5x)/10 = 4
⇒ x/10 = 4
⇒ x = 40
The required number is 40.