Story or word problems

Story or Word Problems- kind of second grade. However they come in great use for the real world or practicing how to isolate important information and not important information. You are looking for key words that help you conduct an equation then solve it. Also using English and Math together, and using you comprehension skills and reading directions.

 Example: Mary had 20 cupcakes. Mary has 11 tuna fish sandwiches for lunch. She went to school. Then she accidently dropped 12 cupcakes on the carpet. She ate 2 of her tuna fish sandwiches. How many cupcakes can she give to her class? 

 20 cupcakes       20-12=8

-12 cupcakes

   8 cupcakes

On the other hand there were some pieces of the problem that weren’t useful. Like, "She went to school", "Mary has 11 tuna fish sandwiches", and "She ate 2 of her tuna fish sandwiches." The question is very important because you can look for the information that only applies to the question which you are trying to answer. I have underlined the important information and the key words. "How many cupcakes can she give to her class?" is very important because you know you are looking for numbers of cupcakes. "had 20 cupcakes", starts you out with 20. "dropped 12 cupcakes", dropped means subtract , so you have 20-12. Then solve.  

Claire is shopping for shoes at Nordstrom’s. She is only looking for red shoes. She finds the ones she likes.The original price is $74.98. However, thereis a 35% off sign conveniently placed above the rack.Claire forgot her calculator. She had to result to doing the math herself. Can you help her out?Great, she wants to know how much money she is saving, with the percentage discount.

 Step 1: 74.98 x .35 = 26.243

original cost multiplied by the discount

Step 2: 74.98 - 26.24 = 48.74

Step 3: 74.98 - 48.74 = 26. 24

You should realize that there was an extra step. And I kind of just went in reverse. But, she saved $26.24 with the discount. It’s always good to check your work. I have highlighted the unnecessary information in red.

Links to Other Info and Practice: 

Translating Mathematical Terms into Equations

Word Problem Practice