1. Becoming a Good Test Taker
Working Backward
Write a Number Sentence or Algebraic Equation

2. Objectives Review and/or learn strategies for taking a test.
Practice the strategies using math problems.

3. Strategy #1: Working Backwards
Read and understand the problem
What are they asking you to find?
Start at the end of the problem, and work your way to the beginning.

4. Strategy #1: Working Backwards
After Dad cut fencing to put around his garden, he had 3 ft. of fencing left over. He had already cut two 4 ft. pieces, a 2 ft. piece and a 3 ft. piece. How long was the fencing originally?
16 ft.

5. Strategy #1: Working Backwards
Pete is 3 years older than Nick. Nick is 9 years younger than Howie. If Pete is 14 years old, how old is Howie?
Howie is 20 years old.

6. Strategy #2: Writing a Number Sentence
Read and understand the problem.
Write a word equation to represent the problem.
Substitute numbers for the words.
Solve the equation or use guess and test to find your answer.

7. Strategy #2: Write a Number Sentence
John has 11 boxes of apples. 5 of the boxes holds 12 apples, and 6 of the boxes hold 6 apples. How many apples does John have?

8. Strategy #2: Write a Number Sentence
A store ordered 251 shirts from a factory. The factory sent 87 one day and 89 the next. How many more shirts do they still need to send?

9. What's your favorite problem solving strategy?

10. Excellent work!