🎯 Practise smarter · 1 min read
Four steps for any word problem
Understand, plan, solve, check: a simple routine that works for every topic.
The four steps
1. Understand. Read the question twice. What do you know? What must you find? Underline the numbers.
2. Plan. Draw a picture, choose a letter for the unknown, and write an equation or pick a formula.
3. Solve. Work carefully, one step per line.
4. Check. Does the answer fit the story? Did you answer the actual question?
An example
A pen costs ₦150 more than a pencil. Together they cost ₦550. Find the cost of the pencil.
- Understand: two prices; the pen is ₦150 more; the total is ₦550.
- Plan: let the pencil cost ₦x, so the pen costs ₦(x + 150). Then x + x + 150 = 550.
- Solve: 2x = 400, so x = 200. The pencil costs ₦200.
- Check: the pen is ₦350, and 200 + 350 = 550 ✓