How to Solve Math Word Problems: A Strategy That Works
Why Word Problems Are Hard
Word problems require:
- Reading comprehension
- Identifying relevant information
- Choosing the right operation
- Setting up the calculation
- Computing the answer
- Checking if it makes sense
That's a lot of steps! No wonder kids struggle.
The CUBES Strategy
Teach this systematic approach:
C - Circle the numbers U - Underline the question B - Box key words (total, difference, each, etc.) E - Evaluate: What operation do I need? S - Solve and check
Key Words (Use Carefully)
These words OFTEN (but not always) indicate:
Addition: total, sum, altogether, combined, in all, both Subtraction: difference, left, remain, fewer, less than Multiplication: each, every, per, times, groups of Division: share equally, split, per person, how many groups
Warning: Key words can be misleading! "How many more" could be addition or subtraction depending on context. Always think about what's happening in the story.
Draw a Picture
Visualization helps enormously:
- Draw the objects in the problem
- Use bar models to represent quantities
- Sketch a number line for comparison problems
Estimate First
Before calculating:
- Round the numbers
- Get a rough answer
- This helps catch wild errors
Example: 48 + 73
- Estimate: 50 + 70 = 120
- Actual: 121
- If you got 1,021, you'd know something's wrong!
Check Your Answer
Ask: "Does this make sense?"
- Re-read the question
- Plug your answer back in
- Is the answer reasonable?
Types of Word Problems
Join/Combine: Putting amounts together Separate/Take away: Removing an amount Part-Part-Whole: Finding a missing part Compare: Finding how much more or less Equal groups: Multiplication and division
Practice Makes Progress
Regular practice builds confidence:
Prefer paper? Try our printable Grade 2 word problems worksheet (PDF) or Grade 3 word problems worksheet (PDF) — kids can circle numbers and underline questions directly on the page using the CUBES strategy above.