GED Math : Word Problems in Algebra

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GED Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Word Problems In Algebra

Which of the following phrases can be written as the algebraic expression  ?

Possible Answers:

The absolute value of a number decreased by twenty-four

The opposite of the difference of a number and twenty-four

Twenty-four decreased by the absolute value of a number

Twenty-four decreased by the opposite of a number

Correct answer:

Twenty-four decreased by the absolute value of a number

Explanation:

 is twenty-four decreased by , which is the absolute value of a number, so  is "twenty-four decreased by the absolute value of a number."

Example Question #2 : Word Problems In Algebra

Which of the following phrases can be written as the algebraic expression  ?

Possible Answers:

The absolute value of the difference of a number and fifty-four

The opposite of the difference of a number and fifty-four

The opposite of the product of a number and negative fifty-four

The absolute value of the product of a number and negative fifty-four

Correct answer:

The absolute value of the difference of a number and fifty-four

Explanation:

 is the absolute value of , which is the difference of a number and fifty-four; therefore,  is "the absolute value of the difference of a number and fifty-four."

Example Question #3 : Word Problems In Algebra

Which of the following phrases can be written as the algebraic expression  ?

Possible Answers:

The square of the difference of three and a number

Three decreased by the square of a number

The square of the difference of a number and three

The square of a number decreased by three

Correct answer:

Three decreased by the square of a number

Explanation:

 is three decreased by , which is the square of a number; therefore,  is three decreased by the square of a number.

Example Question #2 : Word Problems In Algebra

Which of the following phrases can be written as the algebraic expression  ?

Possible Answers:

The absolute value of the difference of forty-five and a number

The absolute value of the difference of a number and forty-five

The opposite of the difference of forty-five and a number

The opposite of the difference of a number and forty-five

Correct answer:

The opposite of the difference of a number and forty-five

Explanation:

 is the opposite of , which is the difference of a number and forty-five; therefore,  is the opposite of the difference of a number and forty-five.

Example Question #4 : Word Problems In Algebra

Which of the following phrases can be written as the algebraic expression  ?

Possible Answers:

The opposite of the difference of a number and sixty-five

Sixty-five subtracted from the opposite of a number

The absolute value of the difference of a number and sixty-five

Sixty-five subtracted from the absolute value of a number

Correct answer:

Sixty-five subtracted from the opposite of a number

Explanation:

 is sixty-five subtracted from , which is the opposite of a number; therefore,  is "sixty-five subtracted from the opposite of a number."

Example Question #5 : Word Problems In Algebra

Which of the following phrases can be written as the algebraic expression  ?

Possible Answers:

The square of the difference of a number and thirty-four

Twice the difference of thirty-four and a number

Twice the difference of a number and thirty-four

The square of the difference of thirty-four and a number

Correct answer:

The square of the difference of a number and thirty-four

Explanation:

 is the square of , which is the difference of a number and thirty-four. Therefore,  is the difference of a number and thirty-four. 

Example Question #4 : Word Problems In Algebra

A broken television cost $1.25 after a 99% discount.  What was the original price?

Possible Answers:

$125

$2.74

$12.50

$250

$2.49

Correct answer:

$125

Explanation:

Let x be the original price.  If the original price was given a discount, the value of the percent discount must be subtracted from the original price.

Example Question #692 : Ged Math

Which of the following phrases can be represented by the algebraic expression  ?

Possible Answers:

The reciprocal of the difference of a number and five 

Five decreased by the reciprocal of a number

The reciprocal of the difference of five and a number

Five less than by the reciprocal of a number

Correct answer:

The reciprocal of the difference of five and a number

Explanation:

 is the reciprocal of , which is the difference of five and a number. Therefore,  is "the reciprocal of the difference of five and a number".

Example Question #141 : Single Variable Algebra

Sixty-four coins, all dimes and nickels, total $5.15. How many of the coins are dimes?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Let  be the number of dimes. Then there are  nickels.

An equation can be set up and solved for  for the amount of money:

, the number of dimes.

Example Question #142 : Single Variable Algebra

Menu

Above is the menu for a coffee shop; there is no sales tax charged on purchases.

Greg is throwing a party and wants to buy eight large cappucinos, one for each attendee. He wants to buy all the butter croissants he can without spending more than $80 total. How many croissants will he be able to buy?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Eight large cappucinos will cost Greg

.

This leaves him 

to buy croissants, which cost .

Let  be the number of croissants he buys. Then

Greg can buy up to 21 croissants.

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