Math is difficult for many people. The rules are many and often difficult to remember. Story problems are especially difficult because one has to interpret the words to come up with the math work. Following the five steps listed in this article will make any problem easy to solve.
Step 1: Read the Problem
This step requires the solve to do just what it says and read the problem. No solving is done or information is searched for. This is the step to get an overview.
Step 2: Select Important Information
This step requires rereading the problem. While rereading all the important information in the problem is underlined. This information should include the numbers and all math words. The solver should also try and figure out which math procedure is called for by the words. For example, the words combine and total mean add while difference means subtract. The word is following a number tells which number is the answer or what the solution will be based on.
Step 3: Decide Which Strategy to Use for Solving
In this step a chose of how to solve the problem will have to be made. The choice could be as simple as writing a math equation. More complex problems may require the formulation of an algebra problem or the use of a problem solving strategies. Strategies such as guess and check, draw a picture and work backwards can be used on many types of problems. Sometimes more than one strategy will work on problem in which case the solver can select their favorite strategy or use the easiest one.
Step 4: Solve the Problem
The solver has identified the pertinent information and chosen a strategy. Now is time to solve the problem. Sometimes in this step the solver will realize the chosen strategy isn't working, in which case they need to return to step 3 and select another strategy.
Step 5: Check the Answer
The final step is to check your answer. Put the answer back into the problem and see if it makes sense or could possibly be an answer. If the answer makes sense, congratulations the problem is solved. If the answer makes no sense, return to step 2 and try again.
Any Story Problem can be solved using the five steps. Look at the following example.
Example Problem and Solution
Problem: There are children and dogs in the park. Maisie and Jack want to know how many of each. Maisie counts 20 heads, and Jack counts 58 feet. How many dogs and children are in the park?
Step 2: Important information: dogs and children, 20 heads and 58 feet. In this case the solver must also use the knowledge that dogs have 4 feet and children 2 feet.
Step 3: Algebraic equations could be written: x=dogs and y=children, x+y=20 and 4x+2y=58
The Guess and Check Strategy could also be used. The solver chooses Guess and Check.
Step 4: The solver first guess 10 dogs and 10 children. 10 dogs would have 40 feet and 10 children would have 20 feet for a total of 60. That is too much. Next guess is 9 dogs and 11 children. 9 dogs would have 36 feet and 11 children would have 22 feet for a total of 58 feet. That is a good answer.
Step 5: The solver checks the answer and yes it in fact makes sense. He can move on to the next problem now.
Any math story problem can be solved by following the five problem solving steps: read the problem, select important inforamation, choose a problem solving strategy, solve the problem and check your answer.
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