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.