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LESSON 1 · Algebra Unlocked

Translate Five Scenes

Turn everyday statements into variable equations:

  • Coffee and muffins: a coffee is $4, a muffin $3, total T. T = 4c + 3m. Two coffees and one muffin: T = $11.
  • Driving: 55 mph for h hours gives d = 55h.
  • Pay: $20 per hour plus a $50 bonus gives P = 20h + 50.
  • Phone bill: $30 flat plus $0.15 per text gives B = 30 + 0.15t.
  • Savings: $1,000 growing 5% a year gives B = 1000 × 1.05ⁿ.

That last one is not linear — it is exponential, which is why investing early matters. After this drill, word problems stop looking foreign.