Sometimes there’s no greater pain for students than coming across a dreaded math word problem.
When these questions show up on homework, math worksheets, pop quizzes, and tests, they give even the most confident students reason to pause and sit up a little straighter.
That’s because these problems take math understanding to the next level. They require children to use their reading and comprehension skills while also applying everything they’ve learned in math class.
Some students approach word problems like they’re solving a riddle, others tend to freeze and forget basic math concepts they normally understand.
Mastering the art of solving math word problems takes practice. It doesn’t normally “just come” to your child.
But there are 5 huge benefits to your child becoming a great math word problem solver — and you won’t want your child missing out on any of them.
The Importance of Math Word Problems
They’re more than just a different type of question to break up the monotony of multiple choice tests.
Solving math word problems teaches your child:
1. How Math Applies in the Real World
“Why do I need to learn this stuff anyway?”
Maybe you can remember saying this phrase to your parents, or maybe it’s the first time you’re hearing it from your child, but this familiar question gets asked a lot when students are frustrated with math.
Math often seems disconnected from day-to-day life and, as the problems get harder, students have more trouble figuring out why they need to learn these concepts if they’ll never “use” them.
After all, it’s not often your child sees you working out complicated math equations in your free time.
Math word problems solve this.
They show students how math concepts apply to real-world situations.
For example, students will come across problems asking them to measure objects for a hypothetical construction project or requiring them to plan enough treats for a party.
These real-world applications show students not only why they’ll need the concepts being taught in math class, but also how to solve the real-world problems they encounter using math they already know.
