AA.16 Solve one-step equations: word problems

Question

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Shane's school is having a spring carnival. When Shane carries a bin of water balloons outside for the balloon toss, he trips and breaks 12 balloons. He counts the remaining water balloons, and there are 14 left.
Which equation can you use to find the number of water balloons w in the bin before Shane trips?
Solve this equation for w to find the number of water balloons in the bin.
water balloons

Answer 1

To find the number of water balloons \( w \) in the bin before Shane trips, we can set up the equation based on the information given.

1. Initially, Shane had \( w \) water balloons.
2. He broke 12 balloons, so the number of remaining water balloons is \( w - 12 \).
3. After the accident, he counted 14 water balloons.

Putting this information together, we can create the following equation:

\[ w - 12 = 14 \]

Next, we will solve for \( w \).

1. Add 12 to both sides of the equation:

\[ w - 12 + 12 = 14 + 12 \]

This simplifies to:

\[ w = 26 \]

So, the number of water balloons in the bin before Shane tripped is:

\[ \text{Water balloons: } 26 \]