The Role of Creativity in Math: An Approach to Math Problem-Solving
In the quest for excellence in education, the significance of creativity in mathematics cannot be overstate...
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Last Updated on August 31, 2021 by Thinkster
help students apply the skills that they have learned while doing repeated . The beauty lies in how many different ways a can be worded.
Take 34 – 12, for . All of the following word problems are based on this one simple :
You may be able to solve 34 – 12 in a fraction of a second.
However, what good is it if you can’t any of the above three questions?
Math word problems build strong critical thinking, reading comprehension, and analytical skills, which are all important skills for future academic and professional success.
But some students absolutely dread when word problems come up in math class.
With our simple tips, you can help eliminate any potential frustration, dread, fear, or anxiety when it comes time to solve a math word problem!
Pay attention to the keywords. At the same time, you don’t blindly associate a keyword with an operation. For example, it’s easy to assume that you could relate “less than” to subtraction and “more than” to addition. However, in Question 3, you can see the keywords “more than” but the operation to be used is actually subtraction.
Another essential strategy is to be mindful of the keywords and how they are used to apply the right operation. To do that, you have to understand the relationship between the numbers in the problem.
One inherent problem with math word problems is that there are some underlying assumptions that sometimes may seem absurd. Take these problems for example:
1. “Dan runs 20 miles in 3 and a half hours. How long will he take to run 100 miles?”
2. “If 4 handymen repair 8 garages in 30 minutes, how many garages in all will they be able to repair in 5 hours?”
The implicit assumptions in the first problem are:
1. Dan can run 100 miles.
2. Dan will run the next 80 miles at the same pace.
The implicit assumptions in the second problem are:
1. All 4 handymen repair at the same rate.
2. All of them continue repairing without taking any breaks.
3. The time to travel from one garage to another is negligible.
All of these seem absurd and unrealistic. However, without these assumptions, the above problems will prove to be extremely complicated and will become almost impossible to solve. You are expected to ignore these and solve the problems. It makes sense to do so, as it helps you apply what you have learned in situations that resemble what you see in your day-to-day life.
Sometimes, word problems have extraneous information that you should ignore. Let us look at an example.
Matthew takes the bus to school every day. The bus ride takes 20 minutes. To take the bus he has to walk for 5 minutes from his home. If he goes to school 5 days a week, how much time does he spend on the bus?
In this problem, you are given 3 different numbers, each of which gives you some information about Matthew’s trip to school. What you are asked to find is the total time that he spends on the bus in a week. Pay close attention and you will see that the time he spends walking from home to the bus stop is irrelevant. The extra information is given just to misdirect you, to make sure you pay close attention and you understand the information given and what you have to determine to solve the problem.
Why is it some students loathe or fear word problems? Even a could have a floundering!
Sure, it could be that they are still developing the critical thinking and skills to successfully tackle these types.
(Use our tips above if this is the case!)
But it could also simply be that a isn’t receiving sufficient practice to develop mastery and confidence.
Here’s the truth: It’s difficult for a to alter the pace of the for each individual . One for a class of 20-30 students means that there is a particular pace at which the class moves.
This is why it’s important for students to get ample practice outside of the classroom to develop true proficiency and mastery. This independent practice solidifies their understanding of topics!
So, how can you ensure your child gets ample practice? There are many resources available that you can take advantage of! A specific to what your child learned at school (ie, , , or word problems) is the perfect follow up to school lessons.
As you can see, word problems, in fact, help you with , thinking, and analysis, in addition to computation. When looking for a program, try to find a program that emphasizes building critical thinking skills.
After all, these are the types of skills incredibly important for future academic and professional success!
Thinkster ‘s world-class curriculum is filled with analytical, critical thinking, and problems. We help build the necessary foundations that will help to make your child a champion!
Your child works with one dedicated tutor, whose goal is to help your child develop a variety of and life skills.
Learn more about how our tutors can help make your child a true champion.
