Word problems, step by step
A plan for every word problem: read, find the question, choose the operation, work it out and check. Read one step, play with it, then tap “I understand this”.
A plan in five steps
- Read the problem twice. What happens in the story?
- Find the question: underline what you must work out.
- Choose the operation: +, −, × or ÷? Draw a picture if you are not sure.
- Work it out and write down the number sentence.
- Check: does the answer make sense? Write the unit (R, cm, learners).
An answer of 3 000 learners in one class makes no sense. Always think: is my answer about right?
Clue words for the operation
Certain words usually point to the operation to use. Careful: always think about the story, not just the word!
Which operation?
Choose the operation that fits the words.
Correct: 0Draw a bar model
A bar model is a simple picture of the story: bars for the numbers you know, and a ? for the number you are looking for.
Bar models
Choose a kind of problem and see how the bar shows the operation.
When you draw the story, you see whether you are looking for the whole (then you add) or a part of it (then you subtract). The picture helps you think, so you don’t just guess from one word.
Practise
Solve the problem
Type the answer. Wrong? You get a bar model to help.
Two-step problems
Some problems have two steps. Work out the first step and use that answer in the second step.
Do not stop at the first answer: read the question again. Here they ask for the change, not the price.
Check yourself
- Read twice and underline the question.
- Draw a bar model: are you looking for the whole (+) or a part (−)?
- Equal groups: multiply or divide.
- Two steps? Use the first answer in the second step.
- Check: does the answer make sense, and does it have a unit?
Write these points in your maths book. Read them again the night before the test.
Quick questions
Tap an answer. If you get one wrong, read why and go back to that step. You get new questions every time.
You ticked all 5 steps! Now you are ready for the quiz.- Practice sheet for this classQuestions + memo · 2 A4 pagesPractice sheet
- Paper 17 pages · PDFPaperMemo
- Practice exam 18 pages · PDFPaperMemo
Ready for more? The Grade 4 word problems quiz gives you new problems every time.
- One step a day is enough. Ten calm minutes work better than an hour the night before the test.
- Make word problems from your day: “We bought 4 loaves at R18. How much did it cost?” Children remember sums about their own lives better.
- Ask your child to tell you the rule in their own words. If they can explain it, they understand it.
- The ticks (“I understand this”) are saved on this device only. We never ask for names or emails.
Follows CAPS for Grade 4 Maths. Always check your teacher’s notes and textbook too.