Ten Steps to Solving Story Problems

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Ten Steps to Solving Story Problems
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Step One

• Read the problem enough times which means read it
  until you understand it.
• If you have practiced solving story problems the
  meanings will come easier

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Step Two

• Decide what is given and whats being asked

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Step Three

• Cross out unnecessary information (I was once
  told to cross out prepositional phrases I dont
  know if it works or not)

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Step Four

• Begin to make transitions from words to symbols

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Step Five

• Use of a table may be helpful

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Step Six

• Write the math statement (equation)

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Step Seven

• Solve the math statement (equation)

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Step Eight

• Apply the answer from the equation to the story
  problem for instance, x 2 might mean the width
  is 2 cm or John is 2 years old

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Step Nine

• Check the answer in the story problem. Answers
  from incorrect math equations are usually wrong.

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Step Ten

• Be sure the answer makes sense.
• For example, check an answer like 750 mph for
  the speed of a car-its obviously wrong.