Worried about Word Problems?

Word Problems are often very difficult for students. They often are not sure what is being asked.

For simple word problems:

1. have the students circle or highlight any numbers given in the problem
2. have the students decide if they need to add or subtract to solve the problem

For complex word problems:

1. have the students circle or highlight any numbers given in the problem
2. have the students decide what they need to know to solve the problem
3. have the students decide what steps they need take to solve the problem

For struggling students:

1. have the students go right to the end of the problem and read the question before reading the whole problem
2. have the students circle or highlight any numbers as they read the problem
3. have the students decide if they need to add, subtract, multiply and/or divide to solve the problem
4. have the students decide what they need to know to solve the problem
5. have the students decide what steps they need take to solve the problem
6. have the students decided what numbers are necessary to solve the problem

For math problems dealing with comparisons:

• use the cross-multiply and divide method
• eg., if we know that 3/7 of a class of 28 students walk to school and need to know how many students this is. We can write the comparison as a formula:
     3 students    =   ? students  
  7 total students    28 total students
• Then to find ?, we cross multiply: 3 × 28 = 84,
• and then divide by the other number: 84 ÷ 7 = 12
• so 12 students walk to school.

A Word to the Wise!

Word Problem Worksheets

See our Teaching Worksheets for Math Word Problem.

Return to Math Skills Index.

Part time Problems — full time  solutions

Whether your child has been diagnosed with special needs or is facing unique learning challenges, Teach All Kids is committed to providing parents and educators with both free and paid member-only worksheets and usage advice based upon proven techniques that help your child or student to be more successful. Those choosing to become subscribed members will have immediate access to over 2,200 additional teaching resources.