1) READ the ENTIRE problem.
2) Read it again (This time with a pencil in hand!)
and JOT DOWN any numbers that appear in the problem.
- Be sure to include a memo showing what the NUMBER REPRESENTS.
- Numbers are sometimes found as words (four, seven,...)
3) Eliminate any numbers that are IRRELEVANT to
the question that your are going to be solving.
4) Decide what OPERATION (S) you need to use:
Add, Subt., Mult., Divide, ...etc.
5) ANSWER THE WORD PROBLEM WITH WORDS!
(At an early age you may find that all you need to do is
to put your answer into a solution sentence provided for you.)
*******************
EXAMPLE:
Old McDonald had a farm with three fenced in areas.
In the first area he kept 20 chickens and 15 cows.
In the second area he kept 25 chickens and 30 sheep.
In the three areas combined he keeps 100 chickens.
How many chickens did he keep in the third fenced area?
*****SOLUTION*****
3 fenced areas
20 chickens in area I
15 cows in area I
25 chickens in area II
30 sheep in area II
100 chickens total
Add 20 plus 25 and then subt. this sum from 100
100 - (20 + 25) = 55
Old McDonald kept 55 chickens in the third area.
