Example

Example: Solving a Word Problem about Snowfall

Apply the seven-step problem-solving strategy to find an unknown past value based on a known present value and a comparative phrase.

Problem: Normal yearly snowfall at the local ski resort is 1212 inches more than twice the amount it received last season. The normal yearly snowfall is 6262 inches. What was the snowfall last season at the ski resort?

Step 1. Read the problem. Step 2. Identify what you are looking for: What was the snowfall last season? Step 3. Name what we are looking for and choose a variable to represent it: Let ss = the snowfall last season. Step 4. Translate. Restate the problem in one sentence with all the important information: "The normal snowfall is 6262, which is 1212 more than twice the amount last year." Translate into an equation: 62=2s+1262 = 2s + 12. Step 5. Solve the equation. Subtract 1212 from each side: 6212=2s+121262 - 12 = 2s + 12 - 12 Simplify: 50=2s50 = 2s Divide each side by two: 502=2s2\frac{50}{2} = \frac{2s}{2} Simplify: 25=s25 = s Step 6. Check: Is our answer reasonable? Yes, having 2525 inches of snow seems OK. The problem says the normal snowfall is twelve inches more than twice the number of last season. Twice 2525 is 5050 and 1212 more than that is 6262. Step 7. Answer the question: The snowfall last season was 2525 inches.

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Updated 2026-05-02

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