Practice Set · Part 1
Equations and Inequalities Problem Solving
Pick up where we left off
Where we left off
Our goal: I can model and solve real-world problems using equations and inequalities, explain what each part stands for, and build one for a situation I have not seen before.
The big idea: Choose an equation or an inequality from the words, solve it, and then check the answer in the story, rounding to whole items when needed.
Model to copy — Example · How many vans?
- A van holds 8 students. A class has 30 students. Write and solve an inequality to find how many vans v the class needs.
- Decide: equation or inequality?: enough seats → inequality
- Write the inequality: 8v ≥ 30
- Divide both sides by 8: v ≥ 30 ÷ 8 → v ≥ 3.75
- Check if the answer makes sense: 3 · 8 = 24 ✗; 4 · 8 = 32 ✓
- v ≥ 3.75, so the class needs 4 vans.
Start here
You did these with your group. Now do them on your own — the model above is yours to copy.
- 1
Same stepsFinish what the group started. Use the model above, step for step.
Try it together — then prove it: Clue: "The lookout earned less than $50." Write a model for the earnings e. Then explain your choice. Write a model for the clue. (e < 50) Is $30 a reasonable value? Is $50? ($30 works. $50 does not, because 50 is not less than 50.) Why does this clue need an inequality, not an equation? (The clue gives a limit, not one exact amount. Many amounts under $50 are possible.)Show your work - 2
Warm restartSolve: x − 4 < 11
- Ax < 7
- Bx > 15
- Cx = 15
- Dx < 15
How do you know?
- 3
Warm restartSolve: x + 6 > 14
- Ax < 8
- Bx = 8
- Cx > 8
- Dx > 20
How do you know?
- 4
Warm restartSolve: x + 10 ≥ 25
- Ax ≥ 15
- Bx ≤ 15
- Cx = 15
- Dx ≥ 35
How do you know?
Practice Set · Part 2
Equations and Inequalities Problem Solving
Keep going
You answered these out loud. Now write them.
Answer, then say how you know — the reason is the part that counts.
- 5
Think it throughSolve 320 + r ≤ 500.
- Ar ≤ 180
- Br ≥ 180
- Cr ≤ 500
- Dr ≤ 820
Why is that the answer?
- 6
Think it throughSolve 4f = 60.
- Af = 15
- Bf = 56
- Cf = 64
- Df = 240
How do you know? Give a second reason as well.
- 7
Think it throughWhy is one an equation and the other an inequality?
- ABecause equations are for money and inequalities are for counting
- BBecause 4 is smaller than 320
- CThere is no real difference
- DThe flashlights cost exactly $60, but the budget is a limit she must stay under
Explain your thinking. What would have to change for a different choice to be right?
- 8
Back to the modelHow do you decide whether a word problem needs an equation or an inequality?
Practice Set · Part 3
Equations and Inequalities Problem Solving
Words and reasoning
Word bank · Banco de palabras
Use the words
Fill each blank with a word from the bank.
- A drawing, equation, or diagram that represents a situation is a ___.
- A math sentence with an equal sign is an ___.
- A math sentence that compares values with <, >, ≤, or ≥ is an ___.
- Checking whether an answer makes sense for the problem is checking its ___.
Explain the thinking
- 9
Find the mistakeAnother student made this exact mistake in this lesson. Explain why it is wrong, then write what they should have done.
The mistake: A common mistake in Equations and Inequalities Problem Solving is matching the wrong model to a key phrase. - 10
Say moreWhat was your plan to solve this problem, and how did you check that your answer was reasonable?
- 11
Write your ownWrite your own problem about this situation, then solve it and show the answer. The situation: Detective Chen is comparing two case notes. Note A says: 'The evidence locker holds exactly 54 files, split equally among 6 shelves.' Note B says: 'The surveillance van must stay parked for no more than 45 minutes.'
Show your work
Practice Set · Part 4
Equations and Inequalities Problem Solving
Show what you know
Last check
These two come from Lesson 8.6. If they are shaky, that is the lesson to revisit — not this one.
- 12
Show what you knowExplain your thinking — A box of donuts has some donuts. After giving away 7, there are fewer than 5 left. Which inequality represents the starting number of donuts d?
- Ad − 7 < 5
- Bd + 7 < 5
- Cd − 7 > 5
- Dd − 7 = 5
Explain your choice.
- 13
From Lesson 8.6Explain your thinking — Solve and describe the graph: x + 5 < 11
- Ax < 6; open circle at 6, shade left
- Bx ≤ 6; closed circle at 6, shade left
- Cx > 6; open circle at 6, shade right
- Dx < 16; open circle at 16, shade left
How do you know?
- 14
From Lesson 8.6How is s ≥ 27 graphed?
- AClosed circle at 27, shaded to the right
- BOpen circle at 27, shaded to the right
- CClosed circle at 27, shaded to the left
- DOpen circle at 27, shaded to the left
How do you know?
Be honest — this tells your teacher what to do next
| I can… | Not yet | Getting there | Got it |
|---|---|---|---|
| I can model and solve real-world problems using equations and inequalities, explain what each part stands for, and build one for a situation I have not seen before. | |||
| I can explain why it works: Choose an equation or an inequality from the words, solve it, and then check the answer in the story… | |||
| I can justify my answer to a skeptic and connect it to a second strategy or representation. |
One question I want to ask my group next time