Problem 33 - Prealgebra

Question

Jenny picked a total of 960 strawberries in 1 hour. Write and solve an equation to find how many strawberries Jenny picked per minute.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

Jenny picked 16 strawberries per minute.

Step 1: Identify the Known Quantities

Jenny picked a total of 960 strawberries in 1 hour. We need to find how many strawberries she picked per minute.

Step 2: Convert Hours to Minutes

Recognize that 1 hour is equal to 60 minutes. Therefore, Jenny's picking time is 60 minutes.

Step 3: Write the Equation

To find the number of strawberries Jenny picked per minute, divide the total number of strawberries by the number of minutes: \( s = \frac{960}{60} \), where \( s \) is the number of strawberries per minute.

Step 4: Solve the Equation

Perform the division: \( s = \frac{960}{60} = 16 \). Therefore, Jenny picked 16 strawberries per minute.

Key Concepts

Division

The mathematical operation of division helps us understand how a total amount can be distributed into equal parts. In practical problems like finding out how many strawberries Jenny picked in a minute, division is essential. To solve the problem using division, we take the total number of strawberries, which is 960, and split that number by the total time spent picking them, 60 minutes in this case. This gives \[ s = \frac{960}{60} \].

• Division tells us there were 16 strawberries picked each minute.
• It's about distributing 960 strawberries evenly across 60 minutes.
• Think about division as a method to find a single unit of measure from the total.

The equation shows how you divide the total quantity by time to find out the rate. This rate calculation helps us compare and understand different scenarios by breaking them into simpler, comparable units.

Unit Conversion

Unit conversion is the process of changing a measurement from one unit to another. It is crucial when dealing with time, distance, or any measurement where the initial units don't match what you need. Jenny’s exercise required us to convert hours into minutes to understand her rate of strawberry picking per minute.

• Remember that 1 hour equals 60 minutes.
• Adjust your total time into the unit you need before performing calculations.
• In this case, 1 hour becomes 60 minutes, helping in setting up the division properly.

Converting units ensures that you're working with consistent measurements and simplifies complicated real-world applications, so your calculations make logical sense.

Problem-Solving Skills

Developing problem-solving skills involves understanding the situation, identifying what's given and what needs to be found, and applying the right steps to find a solution. This requires both logical thinking and a methodical approach.

• First, understand what you know: 960 strawberries in 1 hour.
• Determine what you need: strawberries per minute.
• Plan your approach: convert hours to minutes, set up an equation.

By approaching problems step-by-step, you break down a potentially intimidating task into manageable parts, allowing for clarity and a straightforward path to the solution. Good problem-solving skills also involve double-checking the results to confirm accuracy.

Equation Writing

Writing equations is like forming the backbone of solving mathematical problems. It involves translating real-world scenarios into mathematical terms. For Jenny's strawberry problem, translating the word problem into an equation involves expressing the rate of strawberry picking as math. This is represented by: \[ s = \frac{960}{60} \].

• Identify your key values from the problem—total strawberries and time.
• Choose the variable, often abbreviated (like \( s \) for strawberries per minute).
• Write the equation that models the problem situation.

Equations allow you to systematically work through the details and find solutions with precision. They serve as a reliable method for computing consistent results.