Understanding Word Problems 2

< 15.2 Understanding Word Problems 1 | Topic Index | 15.4 Solving Word Problems 1 >

After understanding various issues related to understanding of word problems, we will see the various stages of this process in detail.

The process of solving simple word problems can be represented as given below.

 			 Arithmetic Operation   		  			 Metaphor   		  			 Life Situations

Formative Assessment
 * 1) Language &amp; Life Experience - Related 				Read &amp; understand the problem and the English &amp; Math vocabulary usedUnderstand the real-life context of the problem.Understand what the final solution or value required is.
 * 2) Structured Thinking 				Locate the words &amp; facts relevant to the context. Ignore extraneous details.Try to remember a similar problem solved earlierWhere feasible, represent data through sketches or organise in tabular form</li></ol>
 * 3) Metaphor - Related 				Relate the life situation to one of the mathematical metaphors</li><a name="_Hlk20238850">Identify the main operation(s) needed to solve the problem</a></li></ol>
 * 4) Numbers &amp; Operations - Related 				Understand the kinds of numbers used &amp; the related rules of computation for them</li>Understand the units of measurements used &amp; the related conversions which may be required</li>If necessary, restate problem with simple numbers and quickly estimate the solution</li></ol>
 * 5) Structured Thinking 				Identify the sequence of operations &amp; the computations needed to solve the problem</li></ol>
 * 6) Algorithmic &amp; Computational Skills 				Follow the operation/ algorithmic procedures</li>Perform the required computations on the numbers to arrive at the solution</li></ol>
 * 7) Reviewing 				Verify if the solution looks reasonable</li>Feed the solution into the problem and check if it is correct</li></ol>
 * 8) Rechecking<ol style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;"> 				<li>If necessary, recheck the steps &amp; the computations starting from the first step.</li></ol>
 * 9) Presentation Related<ol style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;"> 				<li>Present the solution in logical steps using the correct vocabulary</li><li>Relate the original problem &amp; the solution using appropriate math vocabulary &amp; syntax.</li></ol>
 * 10) Practicing<ol style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;"> 				<li>Making different word problems for a given computation e.g 5 + 8*4</li></ol>

These steps can also be used as a framework for &ldquo;formative assessments&rdquo; and identifying the precise nature of the weakness a student has. Once the nature of the weakness has been identified, remediation can be individualised.

A Caveat

These steps are meant only to provide broad guidelines. They cannot be flowed strictly in order. They are broadly in the order that they can provide a broad path to proceed. But a student may have to go back &amp; forth in many of the steps.

< 15.2 Understanding Word Problems 1 | Topic Index | 15.4 Solving Word Problems 1 >