Thread: Algebra word problem help

I really find it hard to figure out how to structure my equation when faced with a word problem. I stumble a lot.
An example im working on If Y is your before-tax income, suppose that the government takes away 1/4y-10 as taxes. What was your pre-tax income if your after-tax income is $280.

So my brain tries junk like this.

x * 1/4Y - 10 = 280

Which I know isnt right. So any tips on how to structure word problems so I can more easily put them in equation format?

The problem suggest denoting the pre-tax income by y. Write the following:

(1) pre-tax income
(2) tax (in terms of y)
(3) after-tax income (in terms of y)

Then equate the result of (3) with 280.

Originally Posted by Capnzims

I really find it hard to figure out how to structure my equation when faced with a word problem. I stumble a lot.
An example im working on If Y is your before-tax income, suppose that the government takes away 1/4y-10 as taxes. What was your pre-tax income if your after-tax income is $280.

So my brain tries junk like this.

x * 1/4Y - 10 = 280

Which I know isnt right. So any tips on how to structure word problems so I can more easily put them in equation format?

(before tax income) - (what the govt takes away) = after tax income

I unfortunately dont even know how to solve that equation.

Originally Posted by Capnzims

I unfortunately dont even know how to solve that equation.

Wonder why you were given that problem then...bad teacher?