Getting Ready

Step 1: Understand the Problem

A third strategy that you should use when trying to understand a math word problem is looking for important information and disregarding information that is interesting but does not help you solve the problem.

This activity will let you practise this strategy.

Important information will include keywords and other details necessary to solve the problem. Unimportant information includes details that add to the "story" of the problem, but these details can be discarded as you investigate the problem further.

To determine what is important and what is not, ask yourself the following questions.

• What information has been given?

• Has enough information been provided?

• Has too much information been provided?

• What is the question that needs to be answered?

It is a good idea to read the problem several times. You can underline or highlight important information. You may also find it useful to cross out unimportant information.

Here's an example of a word problem with the important information highlighted and some unimportant information crossed out.

Mara has $14.00. Lexie has $21.00. Mara and Lexie are saving their money to attend a concert this fall. How much money do they have in all?

$14.00 + $21.00 = $35.00
The girls have $35.00 in all.

   

Try This:

Here is another word problem. Practise highlighting the important information and crossing out the unimportant information.