Thread: Mastering Word Problems

I believe the most important math skill to know is solving word problems aka applications. Most good paying jobs will test your word problems skills. Most standardized exams will test your word problem skills.

Employers are not interested in your ability to solve linear equations like x + 4 = 10 or y - 10 = 20. Exams want to know if you know how to reason your way to the answer. I stuggle with word problems more than anything else in math. What is your advice to me? I want to "master" word problems at the high school level at most.

same way you get to Carnegie Hall.

Practice, practice, practice...

Originally Posted by romsek

same way you get to Carnegie Hall.
Practice, practice, practice...

Or as we say here:
There are 3 ways:
1: practice
2: practice
3: practice

Originally Posted by romsek

same way you get to Carnegie Hall.

Practice, practice, practice...

Is there such a thing as overpractice?

Originally Posted by DenisB

Or as we say here:
There are 3 ways:
1: practice
2: practice
3: practice

I will post more word problems in this website than anything else in math. I must increase my word problems skills. Maybe at 51 it is too late to find a career but if I can do what you guys do with word problems here, this is sufficient for me.

51 is young...I'm 75!

How was your algebra when you were in school?

Originally Posted by DenisB

51 is young...I'm 75!

How was your algebra when you were in school?

My algebra was perfect back in high school. I got an A minus in precalculus in the Spring 1993 semester. I also got an A in Algebra 1 and 2. I did fairly well. Not bad for someone not majoring in math.

Originally Posted by romsek

same way you get to Carnegie Hall.

Practice, practice, practice...

Or is that;
Practise, practise, practise ...... another sort of "word" problem

Thank you everyone. There is a book by the title How To Solve Algebra Word Problems now selling through amazon.com. I will purchase this book and continue to post questions here to better understand the thought process needed to become comfortable in terms of solving word problems, particularly algebra applications at the high school level.

Can you post an example of what you
consider a non-word algebra problem?

Do you remember how to solve this (for a, b and c):
2a + 2b + 3c = 36
a + 5b + 2c = 37
5a + 4b - 5c = 11

Originally Posted by DenisB

Can you post an example of what you
consider a non-word algebra problem?

Do you remember how to solve this (for a, b and c):
2a + 2b + 3c = 36
a + 5b + 2c = 37
5a + 4b - 5c = 11

1.Yes, I can answer this three equations, three unknowns.

2. An example of a non-word problem is the following:

Solve for x.

3x + 45 = 670

Originally Posted by DenisB

Can you post an example of what you
consider a non-word algebra problem?

Do you remember how to solve this (for a, b and c):
2a + 2b + 3c = 36
a + 5b + 2c = 37
5a + 4b - 5c = 11

By word problem I mean the following:

Rita has three boxes of 100 marbles. How many marbles does she have in all?

When solving any word problems, use the following template guide: GRASS

1. Define the GIVENS
2. List the REQUIREMENT to be solved for
3. ANALYSE the problem, write down the required equation, what you need to do etc..
4. SOLVE , solve the problem
5. SUMMARY , give a final statement summarizing the answer.

Originally Posted by sakonpure6

When solving any word problems, use the following template guide: GRASS

1. Define the GIVENS
2. List the REQUIREMENT to be solved for
3. ANALYSE the problem, write down the required equation, what you need to do etc..
4. SOLVE , solve the problem
5. SUMMARY , give a final statement summarizing the answer.

The steps given here might work for honor students but not for novice people. Take step 3, for example. How many students can actually write down the correct equation needed to solve for x?

Originally Posted by mathdad1965

An example of a non-word problem is the following:
Solve for x.
3x + 45 = 670

Jim has 3 times as many marbles as Jack has.
If Jim had another 45 marbles, he would have 670 marbles.
How many marbles does Jack have?