How to Solve Math Word Problems
Pennpaper Team
Word problems are hard because they ask you to translate a story into math. The math is often easier after the translation is clear.
Quick idea
Read for the question, identify the known information, choose a relationship, and write an equation.
Steps
- Read the final question first so you know what you are finding.
- Underline the numbers and units.
- Decide what operation or relationship connects the numbers.
- Write and solve an equation, then answer in words.
Worked example
A student has 7 stickers and gets more. Now she has 15. How many did she get?
Full solution
Step-by-step walkthrough
Step 1
The unknown is the number of new stickers.
Step 2
The starting amount plus the new amount equals 15.
Step 3
Solve to get 8 new stickers.
Common mistake
Do not just grab all the numbers and perform the first operation that comes to mind. Decide what the story means.
Practice problems
- Mia has 12 apples and gives away 5. How many remain?
- A pack has 6 pencils. How many pencils are in 4 packs?
- A number plus 9 equals 20. Find it.
Answers
- 7
- 24
- 11
Ask Pennpaper to explain it live
If the steps make sense but you still feel stuck, start a Pennpaper lesson and ask the tutor to draw the problem on the whiteboard. Seeing the symbols move step by step is often what makes the concept click.