1. Building Linear Equations
from Word Problems

2. A family daycare center charges a $75 enrollment fee and $100 per week
A family daycare center charges a $75 enrollment fee and $100 per week. Write an equation for the total cost over time.

3. Step 1: Identify the variables
A family daycare center charges a $75 enrollment fee and $100 per week. Write an equation for the total cost over time.
Step 1: Identify the variables
Variables represent values that can change.
There may be one, two or several in a word problem.

4. A family daycare center charges a $75 enrollment fee and $100 per week
A family daycare center charges a $75 enrollment fee and $100 per week. Write an equation for the total cost over time. W
Write letters for the variables that will help you remember what they represent.

5. A family daycare center charges a $75 enrollment fee and $100 per week
A family daycare center charges a $75 enrollment fee and $100 per week. Write an equation for the total cost over time.
W T
Write letters for the variables that will help you remember what they represent.

6. Step 2: Identify the end result of the situation.
A family daycare center charges a $75 enrollment fee and $100 per week. Write an equation for the total cost over time.
Step 2: Identify the end result of the situation.
This may be a variable (if you don’t know the value) or a number (if the value is given).

7. Put the end result after the equal sign.
A family daycare center charges a $75 enrollment fee and $100 per week. Write an equation for the total cost over time.
W T
Put the end result after the equal sign.

8. Put the end result after the equal sign.
A family daycare center charges a $75 enrollment fee and $100 per week. Write an equation for the total cost over time.
W = T
Put the end result after the equal sign.

9. Step 3: Identify any constants.
A family daycare center charges a $75 enrollment fee and $100 per week. Write an equation for the total cost over time.
Step 3: Identify any constants.
A constant is a value that will stay the same no matter what the variables are.
Figure out if the constant is being added to or subtracted from the total.

10. Add or subtract the constant(s).
A family daycare center charges a $75 enrollment fee and $100 per week. Write an equation for the total cost over time.
W = T
Add or subtract the constant(s).

11. Step 4: Identify the rate(s) of change.
A family daycare center charges a $75 enrollment fee and $100 per week. Write an equation for the total cost over time.
Step 4: Identify the rate(s) of change.
The rate of change is how much the total will change each time the variable changes.
In a linear equation, the rate of change will remain steady.

12. Multiply the rate of change by the variable(s).
A family daycare center charges a $75 enrollment fee and $100 per week. Write an equation for the total cost over time.
100 * W = T
Multiply the rate of change by the variable(s).

13. You have built an equation!!
A family daycare center charges a $75 enrollment fee and $100 per week. Write an equation for the total cost over time.
100 * W = T
You have built an equation!!

14. Next problem: The daycare center down the street charges no enrollment fee, but $110 per week. Write an equation for the total cost over time.

15. Step 1: Identify the variables
The daycare center down the street charges no enrollment fee, but $110 per week. Write an equation for the total cost over time.
Step 1: Identify the variables

16. Step 1: Identify the variables
The daycare center down the street charges no enrollment fee, but $110 per week. Write an equation for the total cost over time.
W T
Step 1: Identify the variables

17. Step 2: Identify the end result of the situation
The daycare center down the street charges no enrollment fee, but $110 per week. Write an equation for the total cost over time.
W T
Step 1: Identify the variables.
Step 2: Identify the end result of the situation

18. Step 2: Identify the end result of the situation
The daycare center down the street charges no enrollment fee, but $110 per week. Write an equation for the total cost over time.
W = T
Step 1: Identify the variables.
Step 2: Identify the end result of the situation

19. Step 3: Identify any constants.
The daycare center down the street charges no enrollment fee, but $110 per week. Write an equation for the total cost over time.
W = T
Step 1: Identify the variables.
Step 2: Identify the end result of the situation
Step 3: Identify any constants.

20. None! Step 3: Identify any constants. W = T
The daycare center down the street charges no enrollment fee, but $110 per week. Write an equation for the total cost over time.
W = T
Step 1: Identify the variables.
Step 2: Identify the end result of the situation
Step 3: Identify any constants.
None!

21. Step 4: Identify the rate(s) of change.
The daycare center down the street charges no enrollment fee, but $110 per week. Write an equation for the total cost over time.
W = T
Step 1: Identify the variables.
Step 2: Identify the end result of the situation
Step 3: Identify any constants.
Step 4: Identify the rate(s) of change.

22. Step 4: Identify the rate(s) of change.
The daycare center down the street charges no enrollment fee, but $110 per week. Write an equation for the total cost over time.
110 * W = T
Step 1: Identify the variables.
Step 2: Identify the end result of the situation
Step 3: Identify any constants.
Step 4: Identify the rate(s) of change.

23. The daycare center down the street charges no enrollment fee, but $110 per week. Write an equation for the total cost over time.
110 * W = T
You have built another
equation!!

24. What to do in the equation
Step
Things to remember
What to do in the equation
Step 1: Identify the variables
Variables represent values that can change.
There may be one, two or several in a word problem.
Write letters for the variables that will help you remember what they represent
Step 2: Identify the end result of the situation.
The end result may be a variable (if you don’t know the value) or a number (if the value is given).
Put the end result after the equal sign.
Step 3: Identify any constants.
A constant is a value that will stay the same no matter what the variables are.
Figure out if the constant is being added to or subtracted from the total.
Add or subtract the constant(s).
Step 4: Identify the rate(s) of change.
The rate of change is how much the total will change each time the variable changes.
In a linear equation, the rate of change will remain steady.
Multiply the rate of change by the variable(s).