Analyzing Word Problems Before solving a word problem, you need to analyze the information to understand what you are solving for. You can use the four-step process below to help you analyze and solve word problems. Where Math Gets Real
YOUR TURN ✎
HOW TO ANALYZE A WORD PROBLEM 1 UNDERSTAND: Identify what you are trying to find. What is it asking me to solve for? 2 PLAN: Organize the important information and identify the operations needed. What important information is in the problem? How will I find my answer? What operation(s) can I use? 3 SOLVE: List your strategy and steps to solve, then follow through with your plan. How many steps does the problem require? What equations will help me find the answer? 4 LOOK BACK: Validate your answer by checking all work. Does my answer make sense?
Analyze each word problem below. Then use the boxes to plan out your
strategies and solve. Round your answers to the nearest whole number.
1. During spring training, a softball team scored the following number of runs per game: 9, 3, 5, 10, 8, 10, 12, 3, 6, 5, 8, 8. What is the average number of runs scored?
UNDERSTAND
PLAN
SOLVE
LOOK BACK
2. To score in baseball and softball, the player has to touch each base and return to home plate. In baseball, the total distance traveled by the player is 360 feet. In softball, it’s 240 feet. If both a baseball and a softball team score 7 runs in a game, how much farther will the baseball team have traveled than the softball team?
UNDERSTAND
PLAN
SOLVE
LOOK BACK
3. Clayton Kershaw is a pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, a Major League Baseball team. In 2017, he earned $33 million. In 2018, he earned $33.8 million. What was the percent change in Kershaw’s salary from 2017 to 2018?
UNDERSTAND
PLAN
SOLVE
LOOK BACK
The Science of Softball > OPERATIONS
Student Handbook 41
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