The foundation of solving math word problems is a strong grasp of basic arithmetic—addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. These fundamental operations are the tools needed to dissect and solve a variety of mathematical puzzles. For example, to find out which company offers a better price for their pens, you divide the total price by the number of units (pens) to find out the price per pen. This process is called unit price calculation. It's expressed as:
Price Per Unit Formula
Price Per Unit = \frac{Total Price}{Number of Units}
By applying basic division, you can find out that Company A offers pens at \(\$0.25\) each, while Company B offers them at \(\$0.20\) each.
Remember, these operations aren't just for classroom exercises—they're skills you'll use in many aspects of life, such as budgeting or shopping. In instances like these, opting for rounded numbers can sometimes make mental calculations easier and quicker, especially during exams or real-life situations.