Log in

View Full Version : 4th grade math word problem


yipmak
Jan 16, 2013, 05:01 PM
A guava weighs 385 grams. It is 10 times as light as a watermelon. What is the weight of the watermelon?

teacherjenn4
Jan 16, 2013, 06:56 PM
We can help, but you need to try to do the problem. Do you know how to set up the problem?

yipmak
Jan 16, 2013, 07:10 PM
Yes. The guava is 385 grams but is it lighter or heavier than the watermelon?
If it is lighter, than the watermelon is 10 x 385. If it is heavier, than the watermelon weighs 385/10. I don't understand the wording of the question. Thank you for your help.

teacherjenn4
Jan 16, 2013, 07:49 PM
Yes. the guava is 385 grams but is it lighter or heavier than the watermelon?
If it is lighter, than the watermelon is 10 x 385. If it is heavier, than the watermelon weighs 385/10. I don't understand the wording of the question. Thank you for your help.

It isn't worded well, but I would do the multiplication since guavas are smaller than watermelons and that's how I read the question.

yipmak
Jan 16, 2013, 07:58 PM
I guess that makes the most sense. Thank you very much for replying!

teacherjenn4
Jan 16, 2013, 08:04 PM
I guess that makes the most sense. Thank you very much for replying!

Any time! I taught 4th grade for 15 years. Hope you come back when you need help again.

jbhl
Jan 16, 2013, 08:10 PM
Instead of saying "ten times as light" just say "ten times the weight". If it were a division problem, hopefully the wording would be "a tenth as light"

crazylife13
Jun 20, 2013, 08:41 AM
Your answer is 38.5 pounds.

teacherjenn4
Jun 20, 2013, 09:48 AM
Your answer is 38.5 pounds.
This was from long ago and it wasn't in pounds. Check dates and read carefully. We help here. We don't give answers. By the way, how often do you find 38.5 pound watermelons?