A word problem is solved with an equation: introduce a variable, translate the situation into formulas, build a linear equation, and solve it.
After you find an answer, always check it against the original wording.
First choose the unknown quantity (the variable)
Write an equation from the conditions
Solve and state the answer with a check in the story
Problem → equation → answer
Follow the full solution path.
When 7 is added to a number, the result is 19. Find the number.
Build the equation from the story:
x+7=19
Solve and write the answer:
x=12
From the wording, choose the correct value of x.
Three identical notebooks cost 27 dollars. How much does one notebook cost?
Choose the correct value of x.
3x=27
Algorithm
| Step | What to write |
|---|---|
| 1 | Let x be the unknown we want |
| 2 | Build an equation from the problem statement |
| 3 | Solve the equation and write the answer with a check |
✅An equation is the bridge between words and calculation: the key is translating the conditions into correct mathematical notation.