1. South Suburban College Academic Assistance Center

2. Step 1: Drop your pencil!

3. Step 2: Ignore the numbers and read the problem.

4. When reading the problem ask yourself, “What am I being asked to find?”

5. Step 3: Write your answer sentence. Don’t forget to include units! $ Feet Square feet Degrees Fahrenheit Items sold Miles per hour Home runs Percent Dimes Quarters Cars Years Seconds

6. Step 4: Develop a plan. Make a drawing. Select and LABEL variables. Make a chart. Solve a simpler problem. Eliminate extraneous information. Make a list of things you would want to know. This is also a good time to estimate!

7. Step 5: Carry out the plan. Do the Math!

8. Step 6: Put your number into the answer sentence. The area of the rectangular lot is _____ square yards.

9. Step 7: READ YOUR ANSWER! Read the sentence you have written. Does the answer seem reasonable? Does your answer claim that the price of a used car is $3,568,000 ? Is the person in your problem running faster than a jet airplane? If your answer sentence sounds reasonable, congratulations, you have conquered the word problem!

10. Step 8: (Optional) Celebrate!