๐ Understanding the 'What' in Math Word Problems
In math word problems, the 'what' is simply what the problem is asking you to find. It's the unknown you need to solve for. Identifying the 'what' is the first and most important step to solving any word problem. Think of it as the destination in a journey โ you need to know where you're going before you can figure out how to get there!
๐ A Little History of Word Problems
Word problems have been around for centuries! Ancient civilizations like the Egyptians and Babylonians used them to solve practical problems related to agriculture, trade, and construction. These problems were often written on papyrus or clay tablets. Today, word problems continue to be an essential part of math education, helping students connect math to real-world situations.
๐ Key Principles for Finding the 'What'
- ๐ Read Carefully: Read the entire word problem at least twice. The first time, get a general understanding. The second time, focus on the details.
- ๐ก Identify Key Words: Look for words that indicate what the problem is asking you to find. Common phrases include "how many," "what is the total," "find the difference," or "what is the sum?"
- ๐ Underline or Highlight: Physically underline or highlight the sentence or phrase that contains the 'what.' This helps you focus on what you need to solve.
- ๐ค Rephrase the Question: Put the question into your own words. This can make it easier to understand what you're looking for. For example, if the problem asks, "What is the total number of apples?" you could rephrase it as, "I need to find out how many apples there are in all."
- โ Look for Clues: Sometimes, the 'what' is not directly stated. You may need to use information given in the problem to infer what you need to find.
โ Real-World Examples
Let's look at some examples:
Example 1:
Sarah has 5 red balloons and 3 blue balloons. How many balloons does Sarah have in all?
The 'what': How many balloons does Sarah have in all?
Example 2:
Tom has 10 cookies. He gives 4 cookies to his friend. How many cookies does Tom have left?
The 'what': How many cookies does Tom have left?
Example 3:
A farmer plants 6 rows of corn. Each row has 7 corn plants. What is the total number of corn plants?
The 'what': What is the total number of corn plants?
โ Practice Quiz
Identify the 'what' in the following word problems:
- Maria has 8 pencils. She gives 2 pencils to her brother. How many pencils does Maria have now?
- A baker makes 12 cupcakes. He sells 7 cupcakes. How many cupcakes are left?
- There are 9 birds sitting on a tree. 3 birds fly away. How many birds are still on the tree?
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Conclusion
Finding the 'what' in math word problems is a crucial skill that makes solving them much easier. By reading carefully, identifying key words, and rephrasing the question, you can confidently tackle any word problem. Keep practicing, and you'll become a word problem master in no time!