Choose operations, solve one-step and multi-step problems, and interpret answers.
Understand → Plan → Solve → Check
Understand: What are you finding? Underline the useful numbers and units.
Plan: Are you sharing equally, finding the number of groups, comparing unit prices, or finding a rate?
Solve: Write the equation. For multiple steps, calculate the needed totals or differences first.
Check: Use multiplication and an estimate. Include the unit in your final sentence.
Example 1 · Count complete groups
A tailor has 6.75 m of cloth. Each pair of slacks needs 1.4 m.
Equation: 6.75 ÷ 1.4 ≈ 4.821.
Only complete pairs can be made: 4 pairs.
Cloth used: 4 × 1.4 = 5.6 m.
Cloth remaining: 6.75 − 5.6 = 1.15 m.
Do not round up to 5: five pairs would need 7 m, more cloth than you have.
Example 2 · Compare unit prices
A 5 kg bag costs ₱452.50 and a 6 kg bag costs ₱518.70.
First bag: 452.50 ÷ 5 = ₱90.50 per kg.
Second bag: 518.70 ÷ 6 = ₱86.45 per kg.
Difference: 90.50 − 86.45 = ₱4.05 per kg.
The 6 kg bag is cheaper by ₱4.05 per kg.
Example 3 · Find an average rate
A bus travels 120 km in 2 h, then 90 km in 1.5 h.
Total distance: 120 + 90 = 210 km.
Total time: 2 + 1.5 = 3.5 h.
Average speed: 210 ÷ 3.5 = 60 km/h.
For a whole journey, use total distance ÷ total time.
Example 4 · Find a price after a down payment
An appliance costs ₱12,500. A buyer pays ₱2,000 first, then pays the balance in 12 equal installments with no interest.
(12,500 − 2,000) ÷ 12 = ₱875 per installment.
Rounding depends on meaning: Use two decimal places for money. Count only complete pairs or full containers when asked. Keep exact values in intermediate steps and round the final result.