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Decimal Word Problems Overview

Jun 6, 2025

Overview

This lecture teaches how to solve routine and non-routine word problems involving multiplication of decimals and mixed decimals, including real-life money problems.

Problem Solving with Decimals

  • Multiplying decimals helps solve real-life problems like calculating calories burned or earnings.
  • Four steps for problem solving: understand the problem, identify given facts, create a number sentence and solve, check the answer.

Sample Calorie Problems

  • Playing volleyball for 15 minutes (2.51 cal/min): 2.51 × 15 = 37.65 calories.
  • Standing 1 hour (1.20 cal/min) and washing dishes 10 mins (2.55 cal/min): (1.2 × 60) + (2.55 × 10) = 72 + 25.5 = 97.5 calories.
  • Running 20 miles (10.5 cal/mile, 16.5 minutes): Solution involves multiplying rates and times to find total calories.

Application to Money and Length Problems

  • 125.75 pesos = 12,575 centavos (125.75 × 100).
  • Cotton: 24.75 m total, 9.85 m sold; 24.75 - 9.85 = 14.9 m left.
  • Cycling: 6.2 mins/km, 4 km; 6.2 × 4 = 24.8 minutes needed.

Multi-step Word Problems

  • Clerk earns 45.25 pesos/hour (40 reg. hours, 5 overtime at 1.15× rate, 2 holiday at 2× rate). Total = 1,810 + 339.38 + 181 = 2,330.38 pesos.
  • Programmer: 42.75 hours × 50 pesos = 2,137.5 pesos/week.
  • Arthur saves 10% of 1,350 pesos/day for 30 days: 1,350 × 0.1 × 30 = 4,050 pesos/month.
  • Mr. Fernandez’s net yearly salary: (5,450 - 543) × 12 = 58,884 pesos.
  • Dian works 2.5 hours/day (Mon–Fri), 3.75 hours (Sat), paid 25 pesos/hour: (2.5 × 5 + 3.75) × 25 = 46.25 pesos/week.

Creating Your Own Word Problems

  • Use provided data (e.g., 256.25 pesos/day earnings, 15 pesos per apple for 24 apples) to make solvable problems.

Key Terms & Definitions

  • Decimal Number — A number that includes a decimal point to show values less than one.
  • Mixed Decimal — A whole number and decimal combined (e.g., 3.75).
  • Centavo — A monetary unit, 1/100th of a peso.
  • Routine Problem — A standard word problem with clear, familiar steps.
  • Non-routine Problem — A problem needing creative or multiple-step solutions.

Action Items / Next Steps

  • Complete practice problems and word problems using multiplication of decimals in your notebook.
  • Create your own word problems using the given data sets.