Word problems are the bane of most math students, and why not. This is where mathematics, language arts, logic and the real world all intersect.
- Find a Pattern
- Make a Table
- Work Backwards
- Guess and Check
- Draw a Picture
- Make a List
- Write a Number Sentence
- Use Logical Reasoning
Translate the problem into math-ese
Solve the equations
Operation words
| Addition | add. addition. sum. total. plus, more than, in adddition to, increased by, enlarged by, exceeds by, gain, raise, greater than, combine, together |
| Subtraction | subtract, subtraction, minus, take away, decreased by, less than, diminished by, reduced by, How many more than?, How many fewer than?, How many left? fewer than, difference, droped, loss of |
| Multiplication | multiply, multiplied by, times, of, by, product, at, groups of, each, every |
| Division | divided by, into, quotient, per, ratio, parts,dividend, divisor, distributed among, How much for each? How many groups? fractions, each, every |
Study the problem
Organize the facts
Line up a plan
Verify your plan with action
Examine the results
Circle key numbers
Underline the question
Box any math action words
Evaluate what steps to you take
Solve and check