Master maths word problems with seven simple steps from a maths tutor!
Author
Amber Watkins
Published
July 2024
Master maths word problems with seven simple steps from a maths tutor!
Author
Amber Watkins
Published
July 2024
Master maths word problems with seven simple steps from a maths tutor!
Author
Amber Watkins
Published
July 2024
Key takeaways
Table of contents
As a tutor who has seen countless maths worksheets in almost every year group, I’ll tell you this: every child is going to encounter word problems in maths. The key to mastery lies in how you solve them! So then, how do you solve maths word problems?
In this guide, I’ll share eight steps to mastering these common maths problems.
For a child to understand a word problem, it needs to be read with accuracy and fluency! That is why, when I tutor children with word problems, I always emphasise the importance of reading properly.
Mastering step 1 looks like this:
The keywords for word problems in maths indicate what maths action should be taken. Teach your child to highlight or underline the keywords in every word problem.
Here are some of the most common keywords in maths word problems:
Let’s practise. Read the following word problem with your child and help them highlight or underline the main keyword, then decide which maths action should be taken.
Michael has ten playing cards. James has four playing cards less than Michael. How many total cards does James have?
The words “less than” are the keywords and they tell us to use subtraction.
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As I help students with word problems, I write maths symbols and numbers above the keywords. This helps them to understand what the word problem is asking.
Let’s practise. Observe what I write over the keywords in the following word problem and think about how you would create a maths sentence using them:
Using the previous example, let’s write a maths sentence. Looking at the maths symbols and numbers written above the word problem, our maths sentence should be: 10 – 5 = 5!
Each time you practise a word problem with your child, highlight keywords and write the maths symbols above them. Then have your child create a maths sentence to solve.
Pictures can be very helpful for problems that are more difficult to understand. They also are extremely helpful when the word problem involves calculating time, comparing fractions, or measurements.
Help your child get into the habit of always showing their work. As a tutor, I’ve found many reasons why having students show their work is helpful:
If the word problem asks: How many peaches did Lisa buy? Your child’s answer should be: Lisa bought 10 peaches.
If the word problem asks: How far did Kyle run? Your child’s answer should be: Kyle ran 20 kilometres.
Together we reviewed the eight simple steps to solve word problems. These steps included identifying keywords for maths word problems, drawing pictures, and learning to explain our answers.
Is your child ready to put these new maths skills to the test? Check out the best maths app for some fun maths word problem practice.
Parents, sign up for a DoodleMaths subscription and see your child become a maths wizard!
Lesson credits
Amber Watkins
Amber is an education specialist with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She has over 12 years of experience teaching and tutoring primary through university level maths. "Knowing that my work in math education makes such an impact leaves me with an indescribable feeling of pride and joy!"
Amber Watkins
Amber is an education specialist with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She has over 12 years of experience teaching and tutoring primary through university level maths. "Knowing that my work in math education makes such an impact leaves me with an indescribable feeling of pride and joy!"
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