Question

What are the different strategies used to solve a word problem?

Answer 1

Here's a word problem to start with.

Jane spent $42 for shoes. This was $14 less than twice what she spent for a blouse. How much was the blouse?

Source: http://www.themathpage.com/alg/word-problems.htm

First, identify what the question is asking for.

Jane spent $42 for shoes. This was $14 less than twice what she spent for a blouse . How much was the blouse?

Next, identify the numbers.

Jane spent $42 for shoes. This was $14 less than twice what she spent for a blouse . How much was the blouse?

Next, identify the key words. These include add, subtract, remove, spend, earn, less, more, times, twice, half, etc.

Jane spent $42 for shoes. This was $14 less than twice what she spent for a blouse . How much was the blouse?

Finally, convert everything into an equation.

`42=2*"blouse" - 14`

Now, solve the equation.

`56=2*blouse`

`blouse = 28`

The blouse was 28 dollars.