Math Word Problems Demystified - A Self Teaching Guide

3. Draw a picture.


4. Find a pattern.


5. Solve a simpler problem.


6. Work backwards.

Make an Organized List

When you use this strategy, you make an organized list of possible solutions

and then systematically work out each one until the correct answer is found.

Sometimes it helps to make the list in a table format.

EXAMPLE:A person has ten coins consisting of quarters and dimes. If the

total amount of the change is $1.90, find the number of quarters and dimes

he has.

SOLUTION:

GOAL: You are being asked to find the number of quarters and dimes the

person has.

STRATEGY: As shown in Lesson 11, this problem can be solved using an

equation; however, this problem can also be solved by making an organized

list, as shown:

Quarters ($0.25) Dimes ($0.10) Amount

1 9 $1.15

One quarter and 9 dimes makes ten coins with a value of

1($0.25)þ9($0.10)¼$1.15. Next try 2 quarters and 8 dimes and keep

going until a sum of $1.90 is reached.

IMPLEMENTATION: Finish the list.

Quarters ($0.25) Dimes ($0.10) Amount

1 9 $1.15

2 8 $1.30

3 7 $1.45

256 LESSON 21 Using Other Strategies