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.
Language & Life Experience - Related
Read & understand the problem and the English & Math vocabulary used
Understand the real-life context of the problem.
Understand what the final solution or value required is.
Structured Thinking
Locate the words & facts relevant to the context. Ignore extraneous details.
Try to remember a similar problem solved earlier
Where feasible, represent data through sketches or organise in tabular form
Metaphor - Related
Relate the life situation to one of the mathematical metaphors
Identify the main operation(s) needed to solve the problem</a>
Represent the problem pictorially
This would help in locating & focussing on the critical elements of a problem and
The relation between the various elements
Numbers & Operations - Related
Understand the kinds of numbers used & the related rules of computation for them
Understand the units of measurements used & the related conversions which may be required
If necessary, restate problem with simple numbers and quickly estimate the solution
Structured Thinking
Identify the sequence of operations & the computations needed to solve the problem
Algorithmic & Computational Skills
Follow the operation/ algorithmic procedures
Perform the required computations on the numbers to arrive at the solution
Reviewing
Verify if the solution looks reasonable
Feed the solution into the problem and check if it is correct
Rechecking
If necessary, recheck the steps & the computations starting from the first step.
Presentation Related
Present the solution in logical steps using the correct vocabulary
Relate the original problem & the solution using appropriate math vocabulary & syntax.
Practicing
Making different word problems for a given computation e.g 5 + 8*4
Reading a Word Problem Several Times
In the initial stages, it is better to read the problem, along with the class, several times. And each time, starting with the understanding of the language, the deeper aspects can be analysed in turn. This process can be done a few times, until it becomes a habit.
Formative Assessment
These steps can also be used as a framework for “formative assessments” 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 & forth in many of the steps.