Print:
text

Solving Word Problems

How to Solve Word Problems

Word problems always seem the hardest to do, but they CAN be solved. In fact, if you can figure out the words say, you can usually change it into a MATH problem. Once you understand the sentence that tells the parts of the problem, then change it to a MATH problem by adding the right signs +, -, ¸ , x. Go through all these problems following three important steps:

1. Read and figure out: What is asked for?
2. Decide: How do I find it?
3. Decide: How do I write out the MATH problem for each one?

1. Jim and Ted rode their bicycles 4 miles to the state forest, 6 miles on trails in the forest, then 3 miles home by a different road. How many miles did they ride altogether?

a. What is asked for? ______________________________________________

b. How do I find it? (+, -, x, ¸ ) ______________________________________

c. How do I write it as a math problem? _________[ ] _________=_________

2. A box of cookies costs $2.20. What is the price of 3 boxes of cookies?

a. What is asked for? ______________________________________________

b. How do I find it? (+, -, x, ¸ ) ______________________________________

c. How do I write it as a math problem? _________[ ] _________=_________

3. Don won the race with a time of 52 seconds. Bill was in second place with a time

of 48 seconds. By how many seconds did Don win the race?

a. What is asked for? ______________________________________________

b. How do I find it? (+, -, x, ¸ ) ______________________________________

c. How do I write it as a math problem? _________[ ] _________=_________

NOTE TO TEACHER: Read each problem orally. Ask for the cue words. When the student tells the cue word, he/she must also supply the operation.

Allegheny Intermediate Unit Primary ADAPT, ã 1992.