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I think that's the whole point of these types of problems: the first step is always to parse the question, find out what's the actual problem and which data is
by schrototo 15y ago
I think that's the whole point of these types of problems: the first step is always to parse the question, find out what's the actual problem and which data is relevant. You know, just like in real life. (Granted, those particular examples may be especially contrived, but that's a different problem...)
- DanielStraight 15y agoIndeed. The entire purpose of word problems is to see if you can apply math to real life, to see if you can come up with formulas to fit the situation at hand. You aren't given formulas in real life. If I save a certain percent, P, of my monthly income, N, and I want to save an amount, X, to buy something, and I want to know how long in months, M, I'm going to have to save. The formula M = X / (P * N) [or P / 100 depending on how we're expressing the percent] isn't going to magically appear in front of me. Whether I can solve it or not won't matter if I can't come up with it. That's a trivial example, but I hope the point is clear. Word problems are supposed to test your ability to convert life to math, not just your ability to do simple algebra. Which is why it's especially concerning that in many of the word problems they actually give the formula. It defeats the whole purpose of making it a word problem.
- hessenwolf 15y agoYes - there is nothing as sexy as being given a big chunky real-world problem with no predefined mathematical representation and getting to pick and choose your own. I live for these moments.