Solving a Marble Problem: A Step-by-Step Guide

This article provides a thorough breakdown of a simple mathematical problem involving marbles, helping you understand how to solve similar problems step by step. This guide is perfect for students, teachers, and anyone looking to brush up on their problem-solving skills in mathematics.

Understanding the Problem

The problem at hand involves three individuals: Jack, Derek, and Ralph. Each has a specific number of marbles, and our task is to determine the total number of marbles they possess collectively. Let's get started!

Jack's Marbles

Jack has 2 marbles. We can represent this as:

Jack's marbles 2

Derek's Marbles

Derek has 6 more marbles than Jack. We can add 6 to Jack's marbles to find Derek's total:

Derek's marbles 2 6 8

So, Derek has 8 marbles.

Combined Marbles of Jack and Derek

Now, let's find the total number of marbles Jack and Derek have combined:

Total of Jack and Derek 2 8 10

Ralph's Marbles

Ralph has 3 fewer marbles than the combined total of Jack and Derek. We can calculate this by subtracting 3 from the combined total:

Ralph's marbles 10 - 3 7

Therefore, Ralph has 7 marbles.

Total Marbles of All Three Boys

Finally, let's find the total number of marbles all three boys have together:

Total marbles Jack's marbles Derek's marbles Ralph's marbles 2 8 7 17

Thus, the boys have a total of 17 marbles altogether.

This method can be applied to various similar problems, reinforcing the importance of breaking a larger problem into smaller, manageable steps. By systematically working through each part of the problem, we can arrive at the correct answer with confidence.

Conclusion

This problem not only helps in understanding basic arithmetic operations but also emphasizes the importance of step-by-step problem-solving. If you want to explore similar problems or need further assistance, consider checking out more resources or seeking help from a math tutor. Happy learning!