In what type of problem-solving scenario do you have a number of known quantities and need to figure out the unknowns?

In a scenario where you have several known quantities and need to determine unknowns, typically you are engaging in word problems. These types of problems require you to use given information conveyed in a narrative format to identify and extract the necessary data needed to solve for the unknown values. Word problems often present real-world situations, making it essential to understand the context in order to translate the narrative into a mathematical framework.

Linear equations and algebraic expressions are more about the formulation and manipulation of mathematical relationships rather than the context provided in word problems. Simple arithmetic deals primarily with basic calculations rather than the complexities of creating and solving equations based on a scenario. Thus, word problems are crucial because they require an understanding of both the quantities involved and the relationships between them, leading to the identification of the unknowns.