1. Word Problems
extra information

2. Vocabulary…
Problem: the whole story that gives you the question and the information that you will need to solve the question
Question: the actual part of the problem that you are supposed to solve

3. Using the Five-Step Approach
Word Problems
Using the Five-Step Approach
Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division are used in solving math problems, but they are only one part of the problem-solving process.
These are five steps that can help solve word problems.
Identify the question
Identify the information
Identify the operation
Do it
Check it

4. Step 1 Identify the question Read the problem through completely.
Read it more than once if necessary.
Ask yourself what you have to find out to solve the problem.
Try to tell what the problem is in your own words
UNDERLINE the question.

5. Example

6. Group Work

7. ID the information Make sure you understand all the words and ideas.
See if there is information missing or information you do not need.
Look for signal words that can help you decide what operation(s) to use.
CIRCLE the info needed to solve the problem, CROSS OUT information that doesn’t help solve the problem

8. Example

9. Group Work

10. Group Work

11. Group Work

12. ID the operation Think about what you need to do first.
Decide if the question is one-step or multi-step.
Decide what operations to use.
Set up the numbers.
Write the equation

13. more …

14. Carry out your plan Do the computation. Record your work.
Label the answer if a label is needed
DO IT!!! Solve the problem.

15. Example

16. Group Work

17. Check your results
Make sure you answered the question asked in the problem.
Check that your answer is reasonable. Does it make sense?
Check that your computation is correct.