Wait, hold on…watch THIS:
Unbelievably awesome.
Word problems might feel like a sneaky way to test math, but they’re really just puzzles waiting to be cracked. The key is translating the words into math. Once you know how to do that, you’ll see that word problems aren’t so scary—even when test anxiety or SAT anxiety tries to convince you otherwise.
Let’s break this down into simple steps, learn what those tricky words mean, and turn those sentences into algebraic equations.
Know the Math Words
Before we dive into examples, here’s a cheat sheet of common math words and what they mean:
Identify the Unknown
Most word problems are about finding something you don’t know. That’s your variable. You can call it x, y, or any letter you like.
Example:
“Twice a number is 10.”
- The unknown is “a number,” so let’s call it x.
Now the sentence becomes:
- 2x=10.
Translate the Problem Step by Step
Let’s try a few examples to see how this works.
Example 1:
“The sum of a number and 7 is 12.”
- Identify the unknown: “A number” is our variable, so let’s call it x.
- Translate the words into math:
- “The sum of a number and 7” becomes x+7.
- “Is” becomes =.
- “12” stays as it is.
Now the equation is: x+7=12
Example 2:
“Five less than twice a number is 15.”
- Identify the unknown: “A number” is our variable, so let’s call it x.
- Translate step by step:
- “Twice a number” becomes 2x.
- “Five less than” means subtract 5: 2x−5.
- “Is” becomes =.
- “15” stays as it is.
Now the equation is: 2x−5=15
Example 3:
Watch Out for Tricky Phrases
Some phrases can trip you up if you’re not careful. Here are a few to watch out for:
Practice Problem
Here’s a practice question to test your skills:
Question:
“Three times a number decreased by 4 is equal to 20. What is the number?”
- Identify the unknown: Let the number be x.
- Translate step by step:
- “Three times a number” is 3x.
- “Decreased by 4” means subtract 4: 3x−4.
- “Is equal to” becomes =.
- “20” stays as it is.
The equation is:3x−4=20
To solve:
- Add 4 to both sides: 3x=24
- Divide by 3: x=8
The number is 8.
Test Anxiety Tip: Take It Slow
If SAT anxiety strikes, remember: word problems are just about matching words to math operations. Write everything down, follow the steps, and don’t rush.
Final Thoughts
Translating word problems into algebra is just like learning a new language—a math language! Once you practice spotting keywords and turning sentences into equations, these problems become much easier to handle. Keep checking back on this blog for more tips and tricks to make SAT math less stressful and way more manageable. You’ve got this!