Studyfin
✨ Sign up free
Hi there! Today, we will become math detectives and solve a fun number puzzle together.
Number puzzles are like secret codes. We use a step-by-step plan to look at our clues, find patterns, and solve the mystery.
First, we analyze our clues. If a mystery number times 3, minus 5, equals 25, we think about how the numbers connect to find the missing part.
Next, we make a plan and check our work. We add 5 to 25 to get 30, then divide by 3 to see if 10 is the reasonable and correct answer.
✏️ Worked example
Find the secret number! A mystery number is multiplied by 2. Then, 4 is added to the total. The final answer is 10. What is the mystery number?
- Analyze the clues: We start with a secret number, multiply it by 2, and then add 4 to get 10.
- Formulate a plan: We will work backward. We will start at 10, subtract 4, and then divide by 2.
- Determine the solution: First, 10 minus 4 is 6. Next, 6 divided by 2 is 3.
- Justify the solution: Let us test 3. If we multiply 3 by 2, we get 6. If we add 4, we get 10. It works perfectly!
- Evaluate the process: Working backward was a great strategy because it easily reversed each math step.
Want the full interactive lesson — quiz, animations, and Finn cheering them on?