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The first step in solving a math "word"
problem or an "applied"
problem is to read through the problem at a moderate
speed to get a good idea of the problem. This may
require you to read the problem more than once.
Sometimes you may have to read over the problem
two, three, four, or even more times until you are
clear as to what is being asked in the problem.
After reading over the problem until you understand
what you are to find out, you want to try and
write the problem mathematically putting the words
into mathematical expressions. It is often beneficial
to draw a simple picture to help assist you. Write
down the facts you are given and the data that you
may end up using to help you solve the problem.
Read through the problem again for the purpose
of finding out what the problem is asking. Restate
this in your own words. Stating the problem
in your words helps you to see and understand the
problem better. You can also mark key words or
phrases that may be helpful.
You may want to break the problem into smaller
simpler problems. You may even want to work
a part of the problem and see if it relates to
the outcome of what you are trying to solve.
If you aren't making a lot of progress with the
problem, leave the problem for a little while and
work on the next problem. After a couple of problems
go back to the problem you were stumped on and
try it again. Most often leaving a problem and
then coming back to it later will give you some
new ideas or a better idea of what you are trying
to answer. |
