# Thread: Need Help setting up word problems

1. ## Need Help setting up word problems

Here are a couple of word problems that are hard to for me to start. If anyone could help, it would be greatly appreciated. thanks!!

Problem 1:
The sum of 2 numbers is 24. If 2/5 of the larger number is equal to 2/3 the smaller number, find the numbers.

Problem 2:
Luis spent 1/5 of his monthly salary for rent and 1/6 of his monthly salary for his car payment. If $950 was left, what was his monthly salary? Thanks again! 2. Originally Posted by Hapa Here are a couple of word problems that are hard to for me to start. If anyone could help, it would be greatly appreciated. thanks!! Problem 1: The sum of 2 numbers is 24. If 2/5 of the larger number is equal to 2/3 the smaller number, find the numbers. Problem 2: Luis spent 1/5 of his monthly salary for rent and 1/6 of his monthly salary for his car payment. If$950 was left, what was his monthly salary?

Thanks again!
Start by giving a name to the things you're trying to find.

Problem 1. Let the two numbers be x and y.

Problem 2. Let the salary be S.

Now try write down some equations that relate x and y, and S.

Then solve those equations.

3. ## Still stumped

Thanks for the hints, but i am still stumped.

Problem 1:

I tried solving using 2/5x + 2/3y = 24

Problem 2:

I tried 1/5S +1/6S = 950

Doesn't look like I am doing it right.

4. The sum of 2 numbers is 24. If 2/5 of the larger number is equal to 2/3 the smaller number, find the numbers.

ok we don't know these two numbers, call them x (larger) and y (smaller).
2/5x = 2/3y

Now x+y=24, so x=24-y
substitute in first equation:
2/5*(24-y) = 2/3y
48/5 - 2/5y = 2/3y
48/5 = 16/15y
y=(48/5)/(16/15)=9

so x+9=24, so x=15

Problem 2:
Luis spent 1/5 of his monthly salary for rent and 1/6 of his monthly salary for his car payment. If $950 was left, what was his monthly salary? Well the proportion of his salary left is 1-1/5-1/6 = 19/30 and this corresponds to$950

So monthly salary is x then:
19/30 = 950/x
Cross multiply and solve so
19x = 28500
x = 1500

5. Originally Posted by Hapa
Thanks for the hints, but i am still stumped.

Problem 1:

I tried solving using 2/5x + 2/3y = 24
You also know "the sum of two numbers is 24". If x and y are the two numbers, how does that equation translate?

Problem 2:

I tried 1/5S +1/6S = 950

Doesn't look like I am doing it right.
The left side is the total of his rent and and car payment. But that is NOT $950. You are told that after taking those away from his salary, he has$950 left. Either 950- ((1/5)S+ (1/6)S)= 950 or (1/5)S+ (1/6)S= 950- S.

Notice my parentheses around 1/5 and 1/6. Most people would read "1/5S" as "1/(5S)".