July 28, 2008

10 Tips on How to Solve Math Word Problems

Originally published by the Academic Support Center at Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo County, CA

The most difficult homework assignment for most math students is working story/word problems. Solving word problems requires excellent reading comprehension and translating skills.

Students often have difficulty substituting English terms for algebraic symbols and equations. But once an equation is written, it is usually easily solved. To help you solve word problems follow these 10 steps:

Step 1 – Read the problem three times. Read the problem quickly the first time as a scanning procedure. As you are reading the problem the second time, answer these three questions:

  1. What is the problem asking me? (Usually at the end of the problem)
  2. What is the problem telling me that is useful? (Cross out unneeded information).
  3. What is the problem implying? (Usually something you have been told to remember). Read the problem a third time to check that you fully understand its meaning.

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Filed under: Study Tools,Test Prep

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