Strategies for Word Problems
Word problems are complex. There is so much information provided in a word problem but it is coded replacing symbols for words, numbers for letters, and involves more skills than just solving the problem.
Wait for the signal words
Word problems contain special words that tell the mathematician how to solve the problem. These words are called signal words. When students read a word problem, the first thing they need to do is look for the signal words that tell them what type of problem they are solving. Then, knowing what operation the word problem is asking the students to preform, the students can select appropriate strategies for that operation to solve the problem.
Sample Problem:
Susan has 24 flowers. She wants to give each of her friends and equal amount of flowers. If Susan has eight friends how many flowers can she give each friend?
Susan has 24 flowers. She wants to give each of her friends and equal amount of flowers. If Susan has eight friends how many flowers can she give each friend?
Using the Strategy:
Susan has 24 flowers. She wants to give each of her friends and equal amount of flowers. If Susan has eight friends how many flowers can she give each friend?
The word each signals to the student that they are solving a division problem. Using the signal word, the student now knows they need to divide the flowers by the number of friends.
If Susan has 24 flowers and 8 friends. The problem is 24 divided by 8.
The answer is: Susan can give each friend 3 flowers.
Susan has 24 flowers. She wants to give each of her friends and equal amount of flowers. If Susan has eight friends how many flowers can she give each friend?
The word each signals to the student that they are solving a division problem. Using the signal word, the student now knows they need to divide the flowers by the number of friends.
If Susan has 24 flowers and 8 friends. The problem is 24 divided by 8.
The answer is: Susan can give each friend 3 flowers.
For more on signal words and a list of these words, click the button below.
Make it Visual
Research suggests that drawing image helps students conceptualize word problems. Read through the word problem and draw a picture that represents each step. These drawings don't need to be pieces of art, circles, X's, smiley faces, and stick figures can represent harder to draw items like people, animals, or cars. As you are drawing out the word problem, frequently your drawings will not only clarify the information but also answer the problem.
Example Problem: James is saving money to buy a new xbox game that costs $30. If James earns $5 a week, how many weeks will it take for James to earn enough money for his game?
Using the Strategy:
Using the Strategy:
C.U.B.E
CUBE is an acronym for a series of four steps that help students identify important information within a word problem. The acronym is easy to remember and the steps walk the student through sorting information within a word problem and discarding the information that is unnecessary.
Circle Number words
Underline important words
Box the question
Eliminate unnecessary information
Circle Number words
Underline important words
Box the question
Eliminate unnecessary information
Jasmine and Kevin are carving pumpkins for the fall festival. They need to carve 20 pumpkins in all. Kevin has already carved 5 pumpkins. How many more pumpkins do Jasmine and Kevin need to carve?