Let’s solve each of the three word problems step by step.
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Problem 1:
> Liam usually gets up at 7:35 a.m. Since he was sick, he got up 1 hour and 35 minutes later than usual. What did he get up?
Solution:
We need to add
1 hour and 35 minutes to
7:35 a.m.
Step 1: Add the hours:
7:35 a.m. + 1 hour =
8:35 a.m.
Step 2: Add the minutes:
8:35 a.m. + 35 minutes
→ 35 minutes + 35 minutes = 70 minutes =
1 hour and 10 minutes
So, 8:35 a.m. + 35 minutes =
9:10 a.m.
✔ Answer: Liam got up at 9:10 a.m.
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Problem 2:
> He has some pain killers at home for his headache and fever. There are 36 tablets left in the bottle and he is supposed to take 2 tablets at a time, 4 times a day. How many tablets will be left after one day? How many days before he runs out of tablets?
Solution:
First, find how many tablets he takes per day:
→ 2 tablets × 4 times =
8 tablets per day
Part A: How many tablets left after one day?
Start with 36 tablets.
After 1 day: 36 - 8 =
28 tablets left
✔ Answer: 28 tablets left after one day
Part B: How many days before he runs out of tablets?
Total tablets = 36
Tablets per day = 8
Divide: 36 ÷ 8 = 4.5
But since he can’t take half a day’s dose, we interpret this as:
- After 4 full days: 4 × 8 = 32 tablets used → 36 - 32 = 4 tablets left
- On day 5, he needs 8 tablets, but only 4 are left → so he
runs out on day 5
Alternatively, if we consider “how many full days” until he runs out, it’s
4 full days, and he’ll run out during the 5th day.
But typically, for such problems, we say he can take medicine for
4 full days, and on the
5th day, he won’t have enough.
✔ Answer: He will run out of tablets after 4 full days (on the 5th day).
*(Note: Some may say 4.5 days, but since you can’t take partial doses, 4 full days is more practical.)*
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Problem 3:
> Liam went to the doctor. There are 8 patients waiting. The nurse told him it will be his turn after 2 hours. How many minutes would the doctor use to see each patient?
Solution:
Total time until Liam’s turn =
2 hours
Convert to minutes: 2 hours × 60 =
120 minutes
There are
8 patients ahead of him — meaning the doctor will see 8 patients before Liam.
So, total time for 8 patients = 120 minutes
Time per patient = 120 minutes ÷ 8 patients =
15 minutes per patient
✔ Answer: The doctor uses 15 minutes to see each patient.
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✔ Final Answers:
1.
Liam got up at 9:10 a.m.
2.
After one day: 28 tablets left. He will run out after 4 full days (on the 5th day).
3.
The doctor uses 15 minutes per patient.
Let me know if you’d like these explained visually or with diagrams!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of math worksheet for 4th grade word problems.
