Inaugurated by IN-SPACe
ISRO Registered Space Tutor
S0-SA1-0054
What is a Word Problem (simple)?
Grade Level:
Class 1
Maths, Logic
Definition
What is it?
A word problem is a math problem written in sentences instead of just numbers and symbols. It tells a story or describes a real-life situation where you need to use math to find the answer. You have to read carefully to understand what the problem is asking you to do.
Simple Example
Quick Example
Imagine your mother gives you 5 rupees to buy a packet of biscuits. The biscuits cost 3 rupees. How much money will you have left? This is a simple word problem because it describes a situation and asks you to use subtraction to find the remaining money.
Worked Example
Step-by-Step
QUESTION: Rohit has 4 cricket balls. His friend, Rahul, gives him 2 more cricket balls. How many cricket balls does Rohit have now?
STEP 1: Understand the problem. Rohit has some balls, and he gets more.
---STEP 2: Identify the numbers. Rohit starts with 4 balls. He gets 2 more balls.
---STEP 3: Decide the operation. Since he is getting MORE balls, we need to add.
---STEP 4: Perform the calculation. 4 + 2 = 6.
---STEP 5: State the answer clearly. Rohit has 6 cricket balls now.
Why It Matters
Word problems help you connect math to the real world, making it useful for everyday situations. They build your logical thinking skills, which are important for careers like being a shopkeeper, an engineer designing buildings, or even managing your own small business.
Common Mistakes
MISTAKE: Students often pick numbers from the problem and just add them without understanding the story. | CORRECTION: Always read the entire problem carefully to understand what is happening and what operation (add, subtract, multiply, divide) is needed.
MISTAKE: Not identifying the 'keywords' that tell you which operation to use. For example, seeing 'left' and thinking it's always subtraction. | CORRECTION: Look for keywords like 'total,' 'in all,' 'more,' 'altogether' for addition, and 'left,' 'difference,' 'how many more' for subtraction.
MISTAKE: Giving only the numerical answer without the correct units (like 'rupees' or 'students'). | CORRECTION: Always write the answer with the correct units mentioned in the question to make it complete and meaningful.
Practice Questions
Try It Yourself
QUESTION: There are 6 samosas on a plate. Your brother eats 2 samosas. How many samosas are left on the plate? | ANSWER: 4 samosas
QUESTION: Priya has 3 red pens and 4 blue pens. How many pens does Priya have in total? | ANSWER: 7 pens
QUESTION: A vegetable vendor had 10 potatoes. He sold 5 potatoes in the morning and 3 potatoes in the afternoon. How many potatoes does he have left? | ANSWER: 2 potatoes
MCQ
Quick Quiz
Which of these is a word problem?
5 + 3 = ?
Rohan has 5 mangoes and buys 3 more. How many mangoes does he have now?
Add 5 and 3.
Find the sum of 5 and 3.
The Correct Answer Is:
B
Option B is a word problem because it tells a story in sentences and asks a question that requires a math operation. The other options are direct math problems or instructions.
Real World Connection
In the Real World
Every time you go to the local kirana store or market, you are solving word problems! When you buy vegetables, you calculate how much money you need, how much change you will get back, or how many items you can buy with a certain amount. This is all about applying word problem skills in daily life.
Key Vocabulary
Key Terms
WORD PROBLEM: A math problem written in sentences that describes a real-life situation | OPERATION: The action you need to do, like addition or subtraction | KEYWORDS: Words in a problem that hint at the math operation needed | SOLUTION: The answer to the problem
What's Next
What to Learn Next
Great job understanding simple word problems! Next, you can learn about 'Two-Step Word Problems'. These will challenge you to use more than one math operation to find the answer, just like in many real-life situations.
