Strategy for Solving Word Problems

1
Strategy for Solving Word Problems

• Step 1 Read Carefully, Restate in your own words
  what is given and what you are trying to find.
  Let a variable represent ONE of the UNKNOWN
  quantities.
• Step 2 If necessary write expressions for any
  other unknown quantities in the problem using
  your variable. Step 3 Write an equation (or
  inequality) to describe the verbal conditions of
  the problem. Use your variable quantities as
  needed
• Step 4 Solve the equation (inequality) and
  answer the question in a sentence!
• Step 5 Check the solution in the original wording
  of the problem-not in your equation.