Word Problems
Word problems generally are used to check if you can apply the mathematical knowledge you have learned to a real-world application. The best way to attack a word problem is to have a plan.
_George Polya, a mathematician born in Budapest, Hungary in 1887, was best known for his book How To Solve It, http://press.princeton.edu/titles/669.html.
The plan below is based on his book. To learn more about George Polya visit http://www.gap-system.org/~history/Biographies/Polya.html. |
_
How to Attack a Word Problem
Let's try working through some: http://www.cut-the-knot.org/arithmetic/WProblem.shtml
If you are a student with a learning disability, there are some good strategies for problem solving on this website: http://www.k8accesscenter.org/training_resources
/MathProblemSolving.asp
One last video explaining how to translate words into mathematical expressions:
How to Attack a Word Problem
- Read the whole problem.This may seem simple, but too often we begin the work without reading the problem all the way through, and we waste time working with the wrong numbers.
- Understand what the problem is asking.This is where you list what you know and figure out what you need to find. An integral part of this step is to tell what your variable(s) will stand for. Underline the part of the problem that asks what you are looking for and write down what your variable(s) will stand for.
- Devise a plan.How are you going to find your solution? Draw a picture, make a chart, translate words into an equation. Here is a good document of common words and how to translate them into math (this link requires Adobe PDF Reader): http://www.wwu.edu/tutorin/pdf/englishtomathandvocab.pdf
- Solve. This is the part where you do the math. Solve for the unknown, your variable(s).
- Check! What I love about mathematics is that you can always check to see if you have the right answer. Look at the answer you have. Does it make sense? If you are being asked how far someone rode his or her bike and you get 8,347 miles, that is probably not right. Check your answer in your original problem and make sure you didn't make any mathematical errors.
Let's try working through some: http://www.cut-the-knot.org/arithmetic/WProblem.shtml
If you are a student with a learning disability, there are some good strategies for problem solving on this website: http://www.k8accesscenter.org/training_resources
/MathProblemSolving.asp
One last video explaining how to translate words into mathematical expressions:
_If the video above is not working, you need to download the Adobe Flash player.
PRACTICE
Now try one on your own with a little help working through it: http://www.algebralab.org/practice/practice.aspx?file=Algebra_Gulliksen2.xml
There are many word problems to try here: http://algebra-word-problems.blogspot.com/
ASSESS
Take the quiz at the bottom when you are done reading. http://library.thinkquest.org/20991/alg/word.html Post your score in the Interactive Assessment forum below.
PRACTICE
Now try one on your own with a little help working through it: http://www.algebralab.org/practice/practice.aspx?file=Algebra_Gulliksen2.xml
There are many word problems to try here: http://algebra-word-problems.blogspot.com/
ASSESS
Take the quiz at the bottom when you are done reading. http://library.thinkquest.org/20991/alg/word.html Post your score in the Interactive Assessment forum below.