The Age Problem

A Learner-Centered
Learning Environment
(LCLE) Module in
Elementary Algebra
Prepared by Mr. Roy S. Daz
Name: _______________________
Section: _____ School-Year:_____
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The Age Problem
Dave and Mark are cousins

enrolled in La Salle Green
Hills - Adult Night High
School. One of their fellow
students is asking the two
how old they are. Dave,
wanting to challenge the
student, answered “Mark is
twice as old as I am. The sum
of our ages is 5 times my age,
less 48.”
Can you determine how old

Dave and Mark are? How?
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Worksheet #1: Mind Map
Their ages cannot
Translate the be determined. I
verbal phrases and am sure Mark is
sentences into older than Dave
math expressions though.
and equations and
then solve for the
unknown.
I have
Think of two
another idea:
numbers and
___________
check
___________
whether they
___________
fit the given
__________ .
condition.
How will you determine the ages of

Dave and Mark? Put a check mark on
your choice/s. Be ready to explain
your choice/s. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Worksheet #2: Thinking About Your Choice
Think of two numbers and check Translate the verbal phrases and
whether they fit the given condition. sentences into math expressions and
Why do you think this will work? equations and then solve for the
_________________________________ unknown.
_________________________________. How do you think this will work?
What is/are the disadvantage/s of _________________________________
using this? _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________. _________________________________.
Their ages cannot be determined. I I have another idea.
am sure Mark is older than Dave What is your idea? How do you think
though. this will work?
Why do you think their ages cannot be _________________________________
determined? _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________. _________________________________
_________________________________.
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The Lesson
The hardest thing about doing word Algebra Lab

problems is taking the English words
and translating them into
mathematics. Usually, once you get
the math equation, you're fine; the
actual math involved is often fairly
simple. But figuring out the actual Purple Math
equation can seem nearly impossible.
Be advised, however: To really learn
"how to do" word problems, you will
need to practice, practice, practice.
-purplemath.com
Ideal Math
Before we clarify our ideas, we need
to learn first how to translate word
phrases to algebraic expressions and
vice-versa. To do that, visit any of the
websites on the right of this slide.
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Worksheet #3: Translating Words into Math When solving real-world problems, you
may need to determine the action to
Now that you have learned how to know which operation to use.
translate word phrases into algebraic
expressions, you are now ready to fill Action Operation
the following tables. Feel free to go Put parts together.
back to the websites if you need to.
Put equal parts together.
Certain key words/phrases indicate Find how much more.
certain mathematical operations. List
down some of these. Separate into equal parts.
Addition Subtraction
Multiplication Division
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Worksheet #4: Guided Practice
DIRECTION. Write an algebraic expression for each word phrase.
Compare your answers with your seatmates.
Word Phrase Algebraic Expression

9 less than a number w
9 less w
the sum of 12 and m
the product of 8 and y
the quotient of f and 17
3 increased by the difference of p and 5
88 times the difference of f and 2
88 times the sum of f and 2
h multiplied to the ratio of k and 19
the sum of j and the product of 7 and f
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Worksheet #5: Independent Practice
DIRECTION. Write a word phrase/sentence for each algebraic

expression/equation.
Algebraic Expression Word Phrase
6+c
g-1
5v
b/2
6 + 2f
m – 3n
6/(2 + e)
u+h
k – 2r
2c + 3d
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Worksheet #6: Enrichment Activity
DIRECTION. Write an algebraic expression/equation for each word

phrase/sentence. You can use any variable.
Word Phrase Algebraic Expression

8 less than a number
8 less a number
15 increased by a number
the product of 8 and a number
the difference of y and a number
the sum of two consecutive integers
a number is equal to 5
10 is equal to the product of 2 and a number
twice a number
thrice a number
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Worksheet #7: The Age Problem Using the equation you
answered on the left, solve
Going Back to the Age Problem at the now for the ages of Dave and
beginning of this module, can you now Mark.
express the following phrases/sentences
into algebraic expressions/equations? You
can use any variable.
Word Algebraic
phrase/sentence expression/equation
Dave’s age
Mark’s age (twice

Dave’s age)
the sum of Dave’s
age and Mark’s age
The sum of Dave’s
age and Mark’s age is
5 times Dave’s age,
less 48.”
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Worksheet #8: Quiz Now that we have done some guided and
independent practices, it’s time for us to have a
short quiz.
Ready?! Take the QUIZ now!
1. How many items were you able to answer correctly? _____
2. Which item/s did you find difficult? Why?

_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
3. What should you remember in order to answer this/these correctly next

time?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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Worksheet #9: Reflective Log
Use complete sentences in answering the following questions:
Which of the word Which of the word What is the benefit

phrase/s used in the phrase/s used in the of knowing how to
class is/are hard to class is/are easy to translate word
understand? Why? understand? Why? phrases to algebraic
__________________ __________________ expressions and
__________________ __________________ vice-versa?
__________________ __________________ __________________
__________________ __________________ __________________
__________________ __________________ __________________
__________________ __________________ __________________
__________________ __________________ __________________
__________________ __________________ __________________
__________________ __________________ __________________
__________________ __________________ __________________
__________________ __________________ __________________
__________________ __________________ __________________
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Final Output It is now time to create your own WORD PROBLEM.
WHAT TO DO?
YOU NEED…..
Find a partner. Ask the age
of your partner, and
together, make accurate
Scratch papers translations of your ages
Ballpen to algebraic expressions
using only one variable.
Bond Paper
…and a Partner
In a bond paper, create a
word sentence that will
We will grade your help your classmates solve
output using the for your ages (similar to
RUBRIC on the The Age Problem). Also,
next page. show a step-by-step
solution on how to
determine your ages.
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We will grade your output using the rubric below. The perfect score is
Rubric ten (10) points.
Criteria for Excellent Developing Beginning
Scoring
The problem can be The problem can be The problem cannot
The Word solved using skills solved using skills be solved using skills
Problem related to translating related to translating related to translating
word phrase/sentence word word
into algebraic phrase/sentence into phrase/sentence into
expression/equation algebraic algebraic
and the problem is expression/equation expression/equation.
solvable. but the problem is (0)
(3 - 4) not solvable. (1 - 2)
The solution is step-by- The solution is not The solution is not
The Solution step and the final step-by-step but the step-by-step and the
answer is correct. final answer is final answer is wrong.
(3 - 4) correct. (1 - 2) (0)
The sentences are easily The sentences can be The sentences cannot
Grammar understood and there understood but with be understood at all.
are no grammatical some grammatical (0)
errors. (2) errors. (1)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

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A Learner-Centered

Dave and Mark are cousins

Can you determine how old

How will you determine the ages of

The hardest thing about doing word Algebra Lab

Word Phrase Algebraic Expression

DIRECTION. Write a word phrase/sentence for each algebraic

DIRECTION. Write an algebraic expression/equation for each word

Word Phrase Algebraic Expression

Mark’s age (twice

1. How many items were you able to answer correctly? _____

2. Which item/s did you find difficult? Why?

3. What should you remember in order to answer this/these correctly next

Use complete sentences in answering the following questions:

Which of the word Which of the word What is the benefit

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