Algebra Work Problems

Big Tommy went to Dollar General to buy 3 gallons of milk for his mom. His mom gave him $15 and he came back with $2. How much was each gallon of milk?

Find the best equation for this situation.

• 15 - 2 + 3g = 0

• 15 + 3g = 2

• 3g - 15 = 2

• 15 - 3g = 2

Answer explanation

15 - 3g = 2

Big Tommy starts with $15, spends money on 3 gallons of milk (subtraction) and has $2 left to bring home.

Big Tommy went to Dollar General to buy 3 gallons of milk for his mom. His mom gave him $15 and he came back with $2. How much was each gallon of milk?

15 - 3g = 2

Solve this equation for "g" to find how much each gallon of milk cost.

• g = 4.3

• g = -4

• g = 5.6

• g = 3.9

Answer explanation

15 - 3g = 2

There are two ways to solve this equation

#1 Subtract 15 from both sides, then divide both sides by NEGATIVE 3

#2 Add 3g to both sides, then subtract 2 from both sides, then divide both sides by 3.

#2 has more steps, but no negative numbers to work with.

Your regular check for a full week of work is $500. This week you worked 6 hours of overtime and your check was $644. How much were you paid for each hour of overtime?

• $30

• $24

• $18

• $28

Answer explanation

We can model this situation with the equation:

500 + 6h = 644

500 is a regular weeks check

6h is your overtime hours x your pay rate

644 is the total amount for the check with overtime on it.

Solve for h and you will find out how much you were paid for each hour of overtime.

One number is 4 times as large as another. Their sum is 45. What are the numbers? Select the two that apply.

• 6

• 9

• 12

• 27

• 36

Johnny borrowed $270 from you and he needs 3 months to pay it back. How much money does he need to give you each month? This problem can be shown by the equation 3m = 270 What are the steps and solution to this problem?

• Divide both sides by 3, m = 90

• Multiply both sides by 3, m = 810

• Subtract 3 from both sides, m = 267

• none of these

The larger of two numbers is 12 more than the smaller number. If the sum of the two numbers is 74, find the two numbers.

• 12 and 24

• 31 and 43

• 24 and 36

• 51 and 63

The length of a rectangle is 3 inches more than its width. If the perimeter is 42 inches, find the dimensions of the rectangle.

• 9 in by 12 in

• 3 in by 14 in

• 10 in by 11 in

• 8 in by 13 in

Find two consecutive numbers whose sum is 115.

• 57 and 58

• 44 and 45

• 56 and 57

• 225 and 226

Marco and Polo are making the world's largest apple pie. They will need 215 apples. Marco has already picked 95 apples. How many apples will Polo need to pick so they have enough?

Select the equation that best describes this problem.

• p - 95 = 215

• 215 + p = 95

• p + 95 = 215

• 95p = 215

Find three consecutive numbers that add to give you 54.