Math problem solving terminology

They need to know the meaning of words.

But because words are often used differently and problems are set up differently, there are some cautionary messages. Here is an example of problem that uses "fewer than" to set up a subtraction equation.

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Maria has 24 marbles which is 8 fewer than Paolo has. How many marbles does Paolo have?

If we were to only focus on using key words, "fewer than" is a signal to pick out the numbers and subtract. The student may immediately make the conclusion that the answer is 16, but that is not what the problem is asking, and the child would be wrong.

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The correct answer, by the way, is What research has found is that if we ask students to math rely on knowing that certain key solves signal specific operations, we can actually lead them away from trying to understand the terminologies. They will tend to look only for those words and whatever numbers are in the problem, even if they are not relevant to the answer.

This will not help them be mathematically proficient later, even problem they are proficient solve English. Although the finding on key words was done with regular students, the consequences for ELL students of relying on them is the math.

They would not be able to solve the problem above. However, if teachers follow the suggested process of reading a problem several times at lower as well as upper grades and discussing what it means, students will understand.

Another good tool is to teach them to draw or model the problems. To illustrate the problem above, you could state: Draw 24 units, figures, shapes, etc.

So what is Paolo's total? We want students to know the meaning of the words, but also to see them in the context of the whole problem.

Suggested Activities Practice problem solving daily by simply asking more questions. How many students brought their homework today? How many more children brought their homework yesterday?

Is there a formula or equation that I'll need? Will I use a calculator?

Is there a pattern I can use and or follow? Read the problem carefully, decide on a method to solve the problem, solve the problem.

Then, check your work and make sure that your answer makes sense and that you've used the same terms and or units in your answer. Learning how to solve problems in mathematics is knowing what to look for.

Math problems often require established procedures and knowing what procedure to apply. To create procedures, you have to be familiar with the problem situation and be able to collect the appropriate math, identify a strategy or strategies and use the strategy problem.

Problem solving requires practice! When deciding on methods or procedures to use to solve problems, the first thing you will do is look for clues which is one of the terminology important skills in solving problems in mathematics.