How to Solve Math Word Problems

Word problems are hard because they ask you to translate a story into math. The math is often easier after the translation is clear.

Quick idea

Read for the question, identify the known information, choose a relationship, and write an equation.

Steps

1. Read the final question first so you know what you are finding.
2. Underline the numbers and units.
3. Decide what operation or relationship connects the numbers.
4. Write and solve an equation, then answer in words.

Worked example

A student has 7 stickers and gets more. Now she has 15. How many did she get?

Full solution

Step-by-step walkthrough

Step 1

The unknown is the number of new stickers.

Step 2

The starting amount plus the new amount equals 15.

Step 3

Solve to get 8 new stickers.

Common mistake

Do not just grab all the numbers and perform the first operation that comes to mind. Decide what the story means.

Practice problems

1. Mia has 12 apples and gives away 5. How many remain?
2. A pack has 6 pencils. How many pencils are in 4 packs?
3. A number plus 9 equals 20. Find it.

Answers

1. 7
2. 24
3. 11

Ask Pennpaper to explain it live

If the steps make sense but you still feel stuck, start a Pennpaper lesson and ask the tutor to draw the problem on the whiteboard. Seeing the symbols move step by step is often what makes the concept click.

Related guides

• How to Turn Word Problems Into Equations
• How to Solve Fraction Word Problems
• How to Solve Percent Word Problems