How do you solve it? (Investigation)

Multiple Representations

Let's take a look at this word problem:

Word Problem

It's a beautiful day and two brothers decided to race each other. Their names are Bob and Jim. Bob is two years older than Jim. Bob gives Jim a 10 meter head start. Jim runs at 2 meters per second. Bob runs at 3 meters per second. How long after the brothers start will the older brother catch up to the younger brother?

qUESTIONs

1. How would you solve this problem?
2. Solve it.
3. Why did you choose this particular method for solving
4. Now find someone who used a different method to you

Discussion Questions

1. Tell each other why you chose your particular method for solving this problems. Which method do you think is better?
2. What information can you get or see in your partner's method of solving that are different from yours?
3. Did looking at both methods give you a better picture of the situation? How so?
4. Together, try using another method and see what more information you can get from it?