12 tips for solving word problems

8/12/2019 12 Tips for Solving Word Problems

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12 Tips For Solving Word Problems

The math word problem solving strategies presented work with any math problem

regardless of the math concept or idea a child is learning.

Children have a difficult time solving math word problems. However to develop abasic understanding of math they need to learn how to solve even the most difficult

math problem. These difficult math problems are typically, word problems.

Teaching children how to solve word problems in math is critical if they are to

develop full understanding of math.

Children can typically solve a math problem presented in numbers and equations.

However when the same math problem is written in a paragraph or sentence

format, many children have difficulty sorting the important information from the

distracting information. It is not the fact they cannot solve the math problem in most

cases, it is simply they do not know a plan or strategy for solving the problem.

Strategies for Math Problem Solving

The key to solving math word problems is to have a plan or strategy, which works

in any math word problem solving situation. For children having problems with

math word problems, the following 12 tips are provided for helping children become

good problem solvers.

1. Read the problem carefully looking for clues and important information. Writedown the clues, underline, or highlight the clues.

2. If necessary, rewrite the problem to help find these clues.

3. Look for clues to determine which math operation is needed to solve theproblem, for example addition, subtraction, etc. Look for key words like sum,difference, product, perimeter, area, etc. They lead to the operation needed tosolve the problem.

4. Look for what is needed solve the problem, for example: how many will are left,the total will be, everyone gets red, everyone gets one of each, etc.

5. Use variable symbols, such as X for missing information.

6. Eliminate all non-essential information by drawing a line through distractinginformation.

7. Draw sketches, drawings, and models to see the problem.

8. Is the word problem similar to a previous work, if so how was it solved.

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9. Develop a plan based on the information determined to be important for solvingthe problem.

10. Carry out the plan using the math operations which were determined would findthe answer.

11. Does the answer seem reasonable, if it does then it is probably okif not thencheck the work.

12. Work the problem in reverse or backwards, starting with the answer to see ifyou wind up with your original problem.

Math Problem Solving Help

Here is another extra bit of information, which is a common mistake made when

working with word problems. Forgetting to use the correct units of measure

throughout the problem often results in the wrong answer. Units of measure can bemixed in the same word problem and not use the appropriate units leads to errors.

These must be used properly to keep the answer correct.

Value of Math Problem Solving

These are good tips for developing a plan or strategy for any math word problem.

Most children using the tips described above will typically use them for a few

problems and then adapt the tips to fit their style of learning and problem solving.

This is perfectly fine, because these tips are only meant as a starting point for

learning how to solve math word problems.

Along with learning how to solve math word problems using these 12 tips, they are

also useful for everyday life. Daily life is full of solving problems and these tips will

help provide a foundation for success throughout life.