Plan-and-Solve Prompting

Let's first understand the problem and devise a plan to solve it. Then, let's carry out the plan and solve the problem step by step. Problem: A store has 150 apples. They sell 40% on Monday, then receive a shipment of 30 apples on Tuesday. How many apples do they have now? Plan: 1. Calculate apples sold on Monday (40% of 150) 2. Subtract sold apples from initial amount 3. Add Tuesday's shipment 4. State final count Execution: Step 1: 40% of 150 = 60 apples sold Step 2: 150 - 60 = 90 apples remaining Step 3: 90 + 30 = 120 apples Step 4: The store has 120 apples.

Let's first understand the problem, extract relevant variables and their values, and devise a plan. Then solve step by step. Problem: "Train A leaves at 9am going 60mph. Train B leaves the same station at 10am going 80mph in the same direction. When does Train B catch up?" Variables: - Train A: speed = 60mph, start = 9am - Train B: speed = 80mph, start = 10am - Head start: 1 hour = 60 miles Plan: 1. Calculate Train A's head start distance 2. Find relative speed (B gaining on A) 3. Calculate time for B to close the gap 4. Add to B's start time for answer Execution: Step 1: Train A travels 60 miles before B starts Step 2: Relative speed = 80 - 60 = 20 mph Step 3: Time to close gap = 60 / 20 = 3 hours Step 4: 10am + 3 hours = 1pm Train B catches up at 1pm.