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Math Word Problems

This document outlines a 6-step process for solving math word problems: 1) Convert words to an equation, 2) Reread the problem and identify knowns and unknowns, 3) Look for signal words indicating operations, 4) Perform the operations, 5) Ensure the answer addresses the question, and 6) Check that the answer makes sense and satisfies the equation. It also identifies common addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division signal words to help with step 3. Regular practice is emphasized as key to mastering word problems.

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Beverly Paman
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560 views

Math Word Problems

This document outlines a 6-step process for solving math word problems: 1) Convert words to an equation, 2) Reread the problem and identify knowns and unknowns, 3) Look for signal words indicating operations, 4) Perform the operations, 5) Ensure the answer addresses the question, and 6) Check that the answer makes sense and satisfies the equation. It also identifies common addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division signal words to help with step 3. Regular practice is emphasized as key to mastering word problems.

Uploaded by

Beverly Paman
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Whatarethechallenges?

Toknowhowtotranslatewordproblemsintoa
workablemathematicalequation.
Toknowwheretostartandhowtogoabout
figuringouttheanswer.
Toknowthestrategiesneededtobreakdowna
wordproblemsoitisclearandeasytosolve.

Studentsfearandhatedoingthem!

6Steps
for

Tackling
MathWordProblems

Step1
Convertthewordsintoanequation.
Readthroughtheentireproblemfirst.
Donttrytosolveitwhenyouveonlyreadone
sentence.
Readtheproblemcompletelyinordertoget
thewholepicture.
Effectivelytranslateandsolvetheproblem.

Step2
Gobacktothebeginning.
Rereadthefirstsentence.
Writedownwhatyouknowandwhatyoudontknow.
Usevariablestostandfortheunknownsandclearly
labelwhattheystandfor.
Dothesameforthesecondsentenceandeachfollowing
sentence.

Step3
LookforSignalWordsthatmean
certainmathematicaloperations.

SignalWords
Addition
Subtraction
Multiplication
Division
Equals

Addition
Addedto
Together
Combined
Altogether
Increasedby
Joined
Morethan
Deposit
Plus
Sum
Total

Subtraction

Decreasedby

Less

DifferencebetweenLessthan

Howmanymore
Fewerthan

Minus
Subtract(from)

HowmanyleftWithdraw
HowmuchchangeReduce
Amountremaining
Deducted
Howmuchgreater
Debt
Penalty

Multiplication
Multipliedby
Of
Productof
Times

Twice(2X)
Sameamount
Each(withall)

Division
Dividedby
Per
Quotientof
Each
Shareequally

Outof
Percent
Ratioof

Equals
Are
Gives
Is
Yields
Soldfor
Was
WereWillbe

Step4
Performtherequiredoperations.

Step5
Makesureyouareansweringthe
questionthatisbeingaskedofyou.
Onestepmayseemlikeitstheanswer,butitmay
takeseveralstepstoarriveatthefinalanswer.
Dontlosesightofwhatthewordproblemisaskingfor
oraskingyoutodo.
Labeltheanswerwiththeunitofmeasurementorwiththe
objectthequestionisrequesting.

Step6
Mentallyoronpapercheckyouranswerto
makesureitiscorrectandmakessense.
Replacethevariableineachstepwithyouranswer.
Calculatetheequationwiththenowknownvariabletoseeif
itsatisfiestheequation.

Ifitdoes,thenyouredone!

Practice,Practice,Practice!

Masteringwordproblems
requirespractice!

References

http://www.tutorfi.com/Math/challengingma
thwordproblems

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