To solve word problems with equations and inequalities, you pull the math out of the words — using fact families, missing-number thinking, and phrases like "at least" and "more than." Warm up all of these and the word problems become a plan.
Answer these 3, then press Show my path. No grade — this just points you to the right level.
1. "3 more than a number is 8." Which equation?
2. What number makes □ + 4 = 9 true?
3. "At least 6" describes numbers that are…
Word problems hide a number sentence inside the words. Find the unknown, pick the operation, and write an equation (=) or an inequality (< or >). Then solve and check.
Your quick check picks one for you, but you can switch any time:
Level 0 One small step at a time.
A. A number plus 2 is 7. What is the number?
□ + 2 = 7, so 7 − 2 = 5.
B. 3 groups of a number make 12. What is the number?
3 × □ = 12, so 12 ÷ 3 = 4.
C. "More than 5" uses which symbol?
"More than" means bigger, which is the > symbol.
Level 1 Match the story to the math, then solve.
A. "Maya had some stickers and got 5 more, now she has 12." Which equation?
She started with s, added 5, and ended at 12: s + 5 = 12.
B. Solve that one: s + 5 = 12. How many did she start with?
12 − 5 = 7. Check: 7 + 5 = 12. ✓
Level 2 Plan, then solve.
A. 4 friends split some marbles equally and each got 3. How many marbles in all?
m ÷ 4 = 3, so m = 3 × 4 = 12. Check: 12 ÷ 4 = 3. ✓
B. "You need at least 8 points to win." Which inequality (points = p)?
"At least 8" means 8 or more, so p is 8 or greater.
1. A number plus 6 is 14. What is the number?
□ + 6 = 14, so 14 − 6 = 8.
2. "The bag holds more than 10 apples." Which inequality (apples = a)?
"More than 10" means bigger than 10: a > 10.
You've practiced exactly what Lesson 7-7 uses. Time to dive in.
Start Lesson 7-7 →