Hey guys! Let's dive into a fun math problem together. We're going to figure out how much cheese Layla can buy with her money. It's a simple division problem, but we'll break it down step by step to make sure everyone understands. This kind of problem is super common in everyday life, like when you're trying to figure out how many snacks you can buy at the store or how many rides you can take at the fair. So, let's get started and see how Layla can make the most of her $13.00!
Understanding the Problem
Okay, so first things first, let's really get what this question is asking us. The core question here is about division. We know Layla has a certain amount of money, and we know the price of one pound of cheese. To figure out how many pounds she can buy, we need to divide her total money by the price per pound. Think of it like this: if one pound costs $3, then two pounds will cost $6, three pounds will cost $9, and so on. We need to find out how many times $3 fits into $13.
Keywords are super important here. We're dealing with “pounds of cheese,” “cost per pound,” and Layla’s “total money.” These are the key pieces of information that we’ll use to solve the problem. Recognizing these keywords helps us focus on the important numbers and what they represent. We need to connect the cost of cheese ($3 per pound) to the total amount Layla has ($13).
Why is this important? Well, math problems in real life rarely come neatly labeled. You might be at the grocery store trying to figure out how many apples you can buy, or you might be planning a party and need to calculate how many pizzas to order. Learning to identify the key information and the operation you need to use (in this case, division) is a crucial skill. Plus, understanding the problem well before you start crunching numbers can prevent silly mistakes. For example, if we misunderstood the problem and tried to add the numbers, we'd get a totally wrong answer! So, let's make sure we're all on the same page before we move on to the next step.
Setting Up the Equation
Alright, now that we've got a solid understanding of what we're trying to solve, let's turn this word problem into a math equation. This is a crucial step because it transforms the words into a language we can work with mathematically. Remember, we need to figure out how many times $3 (the cost per pound) fits into $13 (Layla's total money). So, what operation are we going to use? You guessed it: division! Division is perfect for splitting a total amount into equal parts or groups. In this case, we're splitting Layla's money into groups of $3 to see how many pounds of cheese she can afford.
The equation we’ll use is pretty straightforward: Total Money ÷ Cost per Pound = Number of Pounds. In Layla's case, that translates to $13 ÷ $3 = ?. This equation is our roadmap to the solution. It clearly shows the relationship between the total money, the cost of each item, and the number of items Layla can buy. Writing it out like this helps to visualize the math we’re doing and keeps us organized. It's like having a recipe before you start cooking; it makes the whole process much smoother.
Setting up the equation correctly is half the battle. If we accidentally flipped the numbers and tried to divide $3 by $13, we'd get a tiny fraction, which wouldn't make sense in the context of the problem. We're not trying to figure out what fraction of a pound Layla can buy for $3; we're trying to figure out how many whole pounds she can buy with her $13. So, always double-check that your equation accurately reflects the problem's situation. It's a small step that can save you from making big errors. Now that we have our equation, we're ready to do some actual calculating!
Solving the Division
Okay, equation's ready, pencils sharpened – let's dive into the division! We've got $13 ÷ $3 = ? This might seem a little daunting at first, but don't worry, we'll break it down. You can tackle this problem using long division, or if you're comfortable with your times tables, you can think about it like this: How many times does 3 go into 13 without going over?
Let's think about our multiples of 3: 3 x 1 = 3, 3 x 2 = 6, 3 x 3 = 9, 3 x 4 = 12, 3 x 5 = 15. Ah-ha! 3 goes into 13 four times (3 x 4 = 12) without going over. So, we know Layla can definitely buy 4 pounds of cheese. But, there's a little bit left over, isn't there? We spent $12 (4 pounds x $3 per pound), but Layla had $13. That means she has $1 left ($13 - $12 = $1).
That leftover dollar is our remainder. In division, the remainder is the amount left over after you've divided as much as possible into whole numbers. In this case, Layla doesn't have enough money to buy another whole pound of cheese. She'd need $3 for another pound, but she only has $1. So, that remainder is important because it tells us we can't just say Layla can buy 4.333... pounds of cheese. In the real world, stores usually don't sell fractions of a pound (unless it's pre-packaged). The context of the problem matters! We're dealing with whole pounds of cheese, so we need a whole number answer. So, after doing the math, we’ve figured out how many pounds Layla can buy. We're almost there – just one more step to make sure our answer makes sense!
Interpreting the Result
Alright, we've done the division, and we know that 13 ÷ 3 = 4 with a remainder of 1. But what does this mean in terms of cheese? This is the crucial step of interpreting the result in the context of the problem. Remember, math isn't just about numbers; it's about applying those numbers to real-world situations.
The number 4 represents the whole pounds of cheese Layla can buy. She has enough money to purchase four full pounds because 4 x $3 (the cost per pound) equals $12, which is within her budget of $13. It’s important to focus on the whole number. The remainder of 1 represents the $1 Layla has leftover. She doesn't have enough money to buy another whole pound of cheese. Even though she has some money left, it's not sufficient to purchase an additional full pound at $3 per pound.
So, Layla can buy 4 pounds of cheese. This is our final answer, and it makes sense in the real world. We can’t buy parts of pounds (unless it’s already sliced, of course!), so the remainder doesn’t translate into extra cheese in this scenario. We've successfully taken a word problem, turned it into an equation, solved it, and interpreted the result. High five! You guys have tackled a real-world math problem and come out on top. This kind of problem-solving is something you'll use all the time, from budgeting your allowance to figuring out how much paint you need for a project. So, keep practicing, and you'll become math masters in no time!
Conclusion
We've walked through the process of solving a word problem, and you guys rocked it! We started by understanding the problem, identifying the key information and what the question was really asking. Then, we turned those words into a clear math equation, $13 ÷ $3 = ?, which helped us visualize the steps we needed to take. We did the division, found the quotient and the remainder, and finally, we interpreted that result in the real-world context of buying cheese. Layla can buy 4 pounds of cheese. This wasn't just about getting a number; it was about understanding what that number meant and how it applies to the situation.
This kind of step-by-step approach is super helpful for any math problem, especially word problems that can sometimes feel a little tricky. Remember to always read the problem carefully, identify the keywords, set up your equation, solve it, and then, most importantly, make sure your answer makes sense. Math is like a puzzle, and each step is a piece that fits together to give you the final picture. You've got the skills to tackle these puzzles, so keep practicing and keep that math brain sharp! And remember, these skills aren't just for school; they're for life. Whether you're calculating the best deal at the store or figuring out how long it will take to drive somewhere, math is your trusty sidekick. Keep up the great work, everyone!
