Word Problem Primer
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There are six steps to solving all word problems.

  1. Read the problem. Identify key words, phrases, numbers, and the unknown values.

  2. Identify the type of problem (area, time, distance, etc.)

  3. Synthesis. Use the information in the problem to develop an idea of how to solve the problem.

  4. Formulate an equation that will help you solve the problem.

  5. Solve the equation.

  6. Answer the problem. You must understand what your numbers mean. (should the answer be dollars, miles, area?)

Part of reading the problem is looking for certain key words. The chart below lists some of the usual phrases found in a word problem and what operation they correspond to.

Addition Subtraction Multiplication Division Equals
increased by  less (than) of  a is
more than decreased by times per  are
combined minus multiplied by out of was
together difference product of ratio of were
total  or sum of between/ of increased/decreased by a factor of quotient of will be

added to

 

 fewer than twice
( 2 x something )		 percent (divide by 100) gives
yields
sold for


 
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Created by Patty Sawyer updated by Sarah Therrien
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