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Mathematics vocabulary · Word Problems

Word problem

Meaning in mathematics, with examples

nounCore term

In mathematics, word problem means: A maths question written as a short story or real-life situation, which you must turn into numbers or equations before solving it.

In Turkish: sözel problem, problem

How it is used

Common in school maths, entrance exams and standardised tests. Teachers advise you to read carefully, mark what is given and what is asked, define a variable and form an equation. Also called a 'story problem' (US) or a 'worded problem' (UK).

Example sentences

  1. Most students lost points on the word problems, not on the algebra itself.

  2. In this word problem, the key information is in the last sentence.

Common collocations

  • solve a word problem
  • age word problems
  • set up a word problem
  • multi-step word problem
  • equationA mathematical statement with an equals sign, showing that two expressions have the same value, such as 2x + 3 = 11.
  • variableA letter or symbol, such as x or y, that stands for a number which can change or which you do not know yet.
  • rateA ratio that compares two quantities measured in different units, such as kilometres per hour or litres per minute.
  • work outTo calculate an answer or find the solution to a problem by thinking about it carefully; especially common in British classrooms and exam papers.
  • respectivelyIn the same order as the things just mentioned; 'a and b are 3 and 5, respectively' means that a is 3 and b is 5.

More terms: Word Problems

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