Word Problem

Question

Two table tennis games go on for a total of 32 minutes. One game lasts 12 minutes longer than the other. How long were both games?

Answer 1

You can 'guess and check'.

Try 1st game = 10 minutes, so second game would be 10 + 12 = 22.

Total is 10 + 22 = 32

Done!

 

Using algebra, the lengths of the games are x and x + 12

Equation is x + x + 12 = 32

Combine terms.

2x + 12 = 32

Subtract 12

2x = 20

Divide by 2

x = 10

The other game = 10 + 12 = 22

 

Hope that helped, Mary.

 

Mary Ann