Question

In 2003 the population of Zimbabwe was about 12.6 million people which is 1 million more than four times the population of 1950. Write and solve any equation to find the approximate population of Zim Bobway in 1950

Answer 1

Let x be the population in 1950. Now re-rea the problem and translate the English into math language:

12.6 Mil = 1 Mi + 4x
12.6 - 1 = 4x

4x = 11.6
x = 11.6/4
x = 2.9 Mil