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Real World Math

I have many a mornings when Algebra seems way too difficult. My 7th grader comes to me with a blank expression and looks to me for help. We work through it together and he still has a blank look and I get more confused and wonder how the heck I made it through Jr. High math. We started working through a Real World Algebra book last week. It's not making things any clearer!

Example problem:
Larry had the same number of nickels and dimes in his left pocket. In his right pocket, he had an equal number of quarters and half-dollars. When Larry counted all the nickels and half-dollars, it totaled $16.35. When he counted the dimes and quarters, it totaled $10.20. How many quarters does Larry have?

posted by Anna @ 6:49 AM