Math Word Problem
Solutions
To solve word problems, convert the story into equations. The applied verbal
problems lesson explains how to identify unknowns and form equations, and functions
from verbal statements teaches how descriptions, such as costs, can be modeled as functions.
Math word problems require interpreting what is being asked and simplifying that into a basic math
equation. Once you have the equation you can then enter that into the problem solver as a basic math
or algebra question to be correctly solved. Below are math word problem examples and their
simplified forms.
Word Problem: Rachel has 17 apples. She gives some to Sarah. Sarah now has 8 apples. How many
apples did Rachel give her?
Simplified Equation: 17 - x = 8
Word Problem: Rhonda has 12 marbles more than Douglas. Douglas has 6 marbles more than Bertha.
Rhonda has twice as many marbles as Bertha has. How many marbles does Douglas have?
Variables: Rhonda's marbles is represented by (r), Douglas' marbles is represented by (d) and
Bertha's marbles is represented by (b)
Simplified Equation: {r = d + 12, d = b + 6, r = 2b}
Word Problem: if there are 40 cookies all together and Angela takes 10 and Brett takes 5 how
many are left?
Simplified: 40 - 10 - 5