Taking the Words Out of Word Problems How to turn word problems into math problems Part 3: Multiplication & Division
The Steps Read the entire problem first. Identify the people in the problem. Identify their stuff Draw unit bars Read the problem again, one bit at a time, and label the unit bars. Determine the question and illustrate it on the unit bar Compute the problem Write the answer as a complete sentence
First, a multiplication problem.
Tyrone had 5 letters to mail. He put 2 stamps on each letter. How many stamps did he use?
Read the entire problem first.Identify the people in the problem.Identify their stuff Tyrone’s Stamps
Tyrone had 5 letters to mail. He put 2 stamps on each letter. How many stamps did he use? Draw unit bars Tyrone’s Stamps
Tyrone had 5 letters to mail. He put 2 stamps on each letter. How many stamps did he use? Label the unit bars. Tyrone’s Stamps22222
Tyrone had 5 letters to mail. He put 2 stamps on each letter. How many stamps did he use? Illustrate the question Tyrone’s Stamps22222?
Tyrone had 5 letters to mail. He put 2 stamps on each letter. How many stamps did he use? Compute the problem Tyrone’s Stamps22222? 5 2 = 10
Tyrone had 5 letters to mail. He put 2 stamps on each letter. How many stamps did he use? 5 2 = 10 Tyrone used 10 stamps Tyrone’s Stamps22222? Write the answer as a complete sentence
Now, a division problem. This should look really similar.
Ms Jefferson divided a batch of 24 cookies evenly for her 4 grandchildren. How many cookies did each of them get? Ms Jefferson’s cookies Read the entire problem first.Identify the people in the problem.Identify their stuff
Ms Jefferson divided a batch of 24 cookies evenly for her 4 grandchildren. How many cookies did each of them get? Ms Jefferson’s cookies Draw unit bars
Ms Jefferson divided a batch of 24 cookies evenly for her 4 grandchildren. How many cookies did each of them get? Ms Jefferson’s cookies24 Label the unit bars.
Ms Jefferson divided a batch of 24 cookies evenly for her 4 grandchildren. How many cookies did each of them get? Ms Jefferson’s cookies24 Illustrate the question ?
Ms Jefferson divided a batch of 24 cookies evenly for her 4 grandchildren. How many cookies did each of them get? 24 ÷ 4 = 6 Ms Jefferson’s cookies24? Compute the problem
Ms Jefferson divided a batch of 24 cookies evenly for her 4 grandchildren. How many cookies did each of them get? 24 ÷ 4 = 6 Each grandchild got 6 cookies. Ms Jefferson’s cookies24 ? Write the answer as a complete sentence
Now try the rest on your own.
The Steps Read the entire problem first. Identify the people in the problem. Identify their stuff Draw unit bars Read the problem again, one bit at a time, and label the unit bars. Determine the question and illustrate it on the unit bar Compute the problem Write the answer as a complete sentence
Last month David and Mary saved some money in a ratio of 3:5. This month they saved an additional $154 together, and David now has three times as much money as he had last month while Mary has two times as much money as she had last month. How much money did they save last month?