Solving data problems
A word problem is a small story with numbers. We often use data, like how many things are in each group. To solve it, we read carefully and use 4 easy steps. Do not rush! Take one step at a time.
The 4 steps
- Understand: read the story and find the question.
- Plan: decide to add (+) or take away (−).
- Solve: do the counting.
- Check: see if the answer makes sense.
Worked example
Ali counts 2 cats and 3 dogs. How many animals in all? Understand: we want the total. Plan: put them together, so we add. Solve: 2 + 3 = 5. Check: 5 animals, yes! Answer: 5 animals.
Worked example 2
A pictograph shows 5 apples and 2 oranges. How many more apples? Plan: compare, so we take away. Solve: 5 − 2 = 3. Answer: 3 more apples.
Remember
- "In all / total" means add.
- "How many more" means take away.