steps to solving a word problem in math

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• \mathrm{Lauren's\:age\:is\:half\:of\:Joe's\:age.\:Emma\:is\:four\:years\:older\:than\:Joe.\:The\:sum\:of\:Lauren,\:Emma,\:and\:Joe's\:age\:is\:54.\:How\:old\:is\:Joe?}
• \mathrm{Kira\:went\:for\:a\:drive\:in\:her\:new\:car.\:She\:drove\:for\:142.5\:miles\:at\:a\:speed\:of\:57\:mph.\:For\:how\:many\:hours\:did\:she\:drive?}
• \mathrm{Bob's\:age\:is\:twice\:that\:of\:Barry's.\:Five\:years\:ago,\:Bob\:was\:three\:times\:older\:than\:Barry.\:Find\:the\:age\:of\:both.}
• \mathrm{Two\:men\:who\:are\:traveling\:in\:opposite\:directions\:at\:the\:rate\:of\:18\:and\:22\:mph\:respectively\:started\:at\:the\:same\:time\:at\:the\:same\:place.\:In\:how\:many\:hours\:will\:they\:be\:250\:apart?}
• \mathrm{If\:2\:tacos\:and\:3\:drinks\:cost\:12\:and\:3\:tacos\:and\:2\:drinks\:cost\:13\:how\:much\:does\:a\:taco\:cost?}
• How do you solve word problems?
• To solve word problems start by reading the problem carefully and understanding what it's asking. Try underlining or highlighting key information, such as numbers and key words that indicate what operation is needed to perform. Translate the problem into mathematical expressions or equations, and use the information and equations generated to solve for the answer.
• How do you identify word problems in math?
• Word problems in math can be identified by the use of language that describes a situation or scenario. Word problems often use words and phrases which indicate that performing calculations is needed to find a solution. Additionally, word problems will often include specific information such as numbers, measurements, and units that needed to be used to solve the problem.
• Is there a calculator that can solve word problems?
• Symbolab is the best calculator for solving a wide range of word problems, including age problems, distance problems, cost problems, investments problems, number problems, and percent problems.
• What is an age problem?
• An age problem is a type of word problem in math that involves calculating the age of one or more people at a specific point in time. These problems often use phrases such as 'x years ago,' 'in y years,' or 'y years later,' which indicate that the problem is related to time and age.

word-problems-calculator

• High School Math Solutions – Inequalities Calculator, Exponential Inequalities Last post, we talked about how to solve logarithmic inequalities. This post, we will learn how to solve exponential... Read More

5 Easy Steps to Solve Any Word Problem in Math

• February 27, 2021

Picture this my teacher besties.  You are solving word problems in your math class and every student, yes every student knows how to solve word problems without immediately entering a state of confusion!  They know how to attack the problem head-on and have a method to solve every single problem that is presented to them.  

How Do You Solve Word Problems in Math?

Ask yourself this, what do you think is the #1 phrase a student says as soon as they see a word problem? 

You guessed it, my teacher friend,  I don’t know how to do this!  I think the most common question I get when I’m teaching my math classes, is how do I solve this?  

Students see word problems and immediately enter freak-out mode!  Let’s take solving word problems in the classroom and make it easier for students to SOLVE the problem!

How to Solve Word Problems Step by Step 

There are so many methods   that students can choose from when learning how to solve word problems.  The 4 step method is the foundation for all of the methods that you will see, but what about a variation of the 4 step method that every student can do just because they get it. 

Students are most likely confused about how to solve word problems because they have never used a consistent method over the years.   I’m all about consistency in my classroom.  Fortunately, in my school district, I get to teach most of the students year after year because of how small our class sizes are.   So I’m going to give you a method based on the 4 step method, that allows all students to be successful at solving word problems.  

Even the most unmotivated math student will learn how to solve word problems and not skip them!

Tips, Tricks, and  Teaching Strategies to Solving Word Problems in Math

Going back to the 4 step method just in case you need a refresher.  If you know me at all a little reminder of “oh yeah I remember that now” always helps me!  

4 steps in solving word problems in math:

• Understand the Problem
• Plan the solution
• Solve the Problem 
• Check the solution

This 4 step method is the basis of the method I’m going to tell you all about.  The problem isn’t with the method itself, it is the fact that most students see word problems and just start panicking!

Why can they do an entire assignment and then see a word problem and then suddenly stop?  Is there a reason why books are designed with word problems at the end? 

These are questions that I constantly have asked myself over the last several years.  I finally got to the point where my students needed a consistent approach to solving word problems that worked every single time.  

The first thing I knew I needed to start doing was introducing students to word problems at the beginning of each lesson.

Once students first see the word problems at the beginning of the lesson, they are less likely to be scared of them when it comes time to do it by themselves! 

This also will increase their confidence in the classroom.  In case you missed it, I shared all about how I increase my students’ confidence in the classroom.  

Wonder how increasing their confidence will help keep them motivated in the classroom?

So confident motivated students will see word problems that could be on their homework, any standardized test, and say I GOT THIS! 

Steps to Solving Word Problems in Mathematics

We are ready to SOLVE any word problem our students are going to encounter in math class.  

Here are my 5 easy steps to SOLVE any word problem in math:

• S – State the objective
• O – Outline your plan
• L – Look for Key Details – Information 
• V –  Verify and Solve
• E – Explain and check your solution

Do you want to learn how to implement this 5 steps problem-solving strategy into your classroom?  I’m hosting a FREE workshop all about how to implement this strategy in your classroom!  

I am so excited to be offering a workshop to increase students’ confidence in solving word problems.  The workshop is held in my Facebook Group The Round Robin Math Community. It also will be sent straight to your inbox and you can watch it right now!

If you’re interested, join today and all the details will be sent to you ASAP!

I will see you there!

PS.  Need the SOLVE method for your bulletin board for your students’ math journals/notebooks?  Check out this bulletin board resource here:

Love, Robin

• Latest Posts

Robin Cornecki

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Hi, I'm Robin!

 I am a secondary math teacher with over 19 years of experience! If you’re a teacher looking for help with all the tips, tricks, and strategies for passing the praxis math core test, you’re in the right place!

I also create engaging secondary math resources for grades 7-12! 

Learn more about me and how I can help you here .

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Praxis Core Math

Course: praxis core math   >   unit 1.

• Algebraic properties | Lesson
• Algebraic properties | Worked example
• Solution procedures | Lesson
• Solution procedures | Worked example
• Equivalent expressions | Lesson
• Equivalent expressions | Worked example
• Creating expressions and equations | Lesson
• Creating expressions and equations | Worked example

Algebraic word problems | Lesson

• Algebraic word problems | Worked example
• Linear equations | Lesson
• Linear equations | Worked example
• Quadratic equations | Lesson
• Quadratic equations | Worked example

What are algebraic word problems?

What skills are needed.

• Translating sentences to equations
• Solving linear equations with one variable
• Evaluating algebraic expressions
• Solving problems using Venn diagrams

How do we solve algebraic word problems?

• Define a variable.
• Write an equation using the variable.
• Solve the equation.
• If the variable is not the answer to the word problem, use the variable to calculate the answer.

What's a Venn diagram?

• Your answer should be
• an integer, like 6 6 6 6
• a simplified proper fraction, like 3 / 5 3/5 3 / 5 3, slash, 5
• a simplified improper fraction, like 7 / 4 7/4 7 / 4 7, slash, 4
• a mixed number, like 1   3 / 4 1\ 3/4 1   3 / 4 1, space, 3, slash, 4
• an exact decimal, like 0.75 0.75 0 . 7 5 0, point, 75
• a multiple of pi, like 12  pi 12\ \text{pi} 1 2   pi 12, space, start text, p, i, end text or 2 / 3  pi 2/3\ \text{pi} 2 / 3   pi 2, slash, 3, space, start text, p, i, end text
• (Choice A)   $ 4 \$4 $ 4 dollar sign, 4 A $ 4 \$4 $ 4 dollar sign, 4
• (Choice B)   $ 5 \$5 $ 5 dollar sign, 5 B $ 5 \$5 $ 5 dollar sign, 5
• (Choice C)   $ 9 \$9 $ 9 dollar sign, 9 C $ 9 \$9 $ 9 dollar sign, 9
• (Choice D)   $ 14 \$14 $ 1 4 dollar sign, 14 D $ 14 \$14 $ 1 4 dollar sign, 14
• (Choice E)   $ 20 \$20 $ 2 0 dollar sign, 20 E $ 20 \$20 $ 2 0 dollar sign, 20
• (Choice A)   10 10 1 0 10 A 10 10 1 0 10
• (Choice B)   12 12 1 2 12 B 12 12 1 2 12
• (Choice C)   24 24 2 4 24 C 24 24 2 4 24
• (Choice D)   30 30 3 0 30 D 30 30 3 0 30
• (Choice E)   32 32 3 2 32 E 32 32 3 2 32
• (Choice A)   4 4 4 4 A 4 4 4 4
• (Choice B)   10 10 1 0 10 B 10 10 1 0 10
• (Choice C)   14 14 1 4 14 C 14 14 1 4 14
• (Choice D)   18 18 1 8 18 D 18 18 1 8 18
• (Choice E)   22 22 2 2 22 E 22 22 2 2 22

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