Table Tales: How to Finding the Rule in Word Problems
Tables help us organize information. Sometimes, the numbers in a table follow a special rule.
By looking at how the numbers change, we can figure out this rule. Let’s learn how to spot these rules in word problems using tables!
Step-by-step Guide to Finding the Rule in Word Problems:
1. Read the Problem:
Always start by reading the word problem carefully. Understand what’s happening in the story.
2. Look at the Table:
See how the numbers change from one row to the next. This can give you a hint about the rule.
3. Find the Pattern:
Ask yourself:
– Are numbers being added or subtracted each time?
– Are numbers being multiplied or divided?
4. Guess the Rule:
Based on the pattern, try to guess the rule. For example, if numbers go up by 5 each time, the rule might be “add 5.”
5. Test Your Guess:
Use the rule on some numbers in the table to see if it works. If it does, you’ve found the rule!
Example 1:
Liam saves money every week. The table shows how much he has saved:
| Week | Money Saved |
|——|————-|
| 1 | $5 |
| 2 | $10 |
| 3 | $15 |
The rule is “Liam saves $5 more every week.”
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Example 2:
Emma reads books every month. The table shows how many she has read:
| Month | Books Read |
|——-|————|
| 1 | 2 |
| 2 | 4 |
| 3 | 6 |
The rule is “Emma reads 2 more books each month.”
Practice Questions:
1. Jake collects stickers. The table shows how many he has:
| Day | Stickers |
|——|———-|
| 1 | 3 |
| 2 | 6 |
| 3 | 9 |
What’s the rule for how many stickers Jake collects?
2. Mia plants flowers every week. The table shows how many she has planted:
| Week | Flowers Planted |
|——|—————–|
| 1 | 4 |
| 2 | 8 |
| 3 | 12 |
What’s the rule for how many flowers Mia plants?
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Answers:
1. Jake collects 3 more stickers each day.
2. Mia plants 4 more flowers each week.
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