How to Solve Word Problems
1. Paraphrase
a. Underline the Important Information
b.Put the Problem in Your Own Words
2. Visualize
a. Make a Drawing or Diagram
3. Hypothesize
a. Decide How Many Steps are Needed
b.Decide Which Operation is Needed
c. Write the Equation
4. Estimate
a. Predict the Solution
Key Words When Problem Solving
Addition
 in all
 total
 sum
 both
 combined
 altogether
 how many
Subtraction
 fewer
 left
 how much
change
 how many
more
 how much
more
 less
 difference
 minus
 remains
Multiplication
 total
 in all
groups
 area
 times
 rate
 twice
Division
 how many
each
 how many
groups
divided
equally