UNRAAVEL a Math Problem

Sure-Fire Steps to Becoming a Math Genius!

UNRAAVEL Strategy presented by Larry Bell

Sometimes it can be difficultto figure out what to do when

you are faced with a word problem.

Even Albert Einstein said:

“Do not worry about your difficulties in Mathematics. I can assure you mine are still

greater.”

If he had known about UNRAAVEL…..

…..he may have been able to do even more with

Math!

Are you ready to learn how to

UNRAAVEL a math problem?

U = Underline the question

Find the question and Find the question and Underline it!Underline it!

Allison is buying five sets of markers for each of her twelve art students. If each set of markers costs $5.75,

how much will she spend on markers?

Sid has $50.00. He bought two video games that cost $14.00

each. He also bought a poster for $5.69. How much money did he have left after his purchases?

The students are asked to put their booth fifteen feet from the entry

way on the path to the parking lot. The parking lot is sixty-two feet

from the entry way. How far is their booth from the parking lot?

The soccer team scored six times as many goals during the regular

season as they did during playoffs. The team scored forty-two goals during the regular season. How

many goals were scored during the playoffs?

We are going to practice We are going to practice UNRAAVEL with this one!UNRAAVEL with this one!

N = Now Predict What Do You Think

You Need to Do to Solve the Problem?

Do you think the answer will be larger or smaller? Do you think you will need to add, subtract, multiply, or divide? Are there any hints that you may need to estimate?

I predict that I will need to

subtract. I saw the words: HAVE LEFT

in the question.

R = Read the Word Problem

Read the

entire problem!!!!

Read it, Dudes and Dudettes!

Sid has $50.00. He bought two video games that cost

$14.00 each. He also bought a poster for $5.69. How

much money did he have left after his purchases?

A = Are the Important Words Circled? (especially the

clue words?)

Sid has $50.00. He bought two Sid has $50.00. He bought two

video games that cost $14.00 video games that cost $14.00

each. He also bought a poster for each. He also bought a poster for

$5.69. $5.69. How much money did he How much money did he

have left after his purchases?have left after his purchases?

A = Apply the Steps You Chose to Solve the Problem

$14.00

X 2$28.00

$28.00+ 5.69

$33.69

Video Games

Video Games Plus Poster

Total Amount Spent

Sid has $50.00. He bought two Sid has $50.00. He bought two

video games that cost $14.00 video games that cost $14.00

each. He also bought a poster for each. He also bought a poster for

$5.69. $5.69. How much money did he How much money did he

have left after his purchases?have left after his purchases?

$ 50.00

- 33.69$16.31

Sid’s Money

What he spent

Leftover!

Leftover!

V = Verify Your Answer.

(Is it reasonable? Does it Make Sense?)

$16.31 IS reasonable because it is smaller than

$50.00. It would make sense to have this amount left after buying games and

a poster.

E = Eliminate Wrong Answers.

a. $66.31

b. $15.00

c. $55.76

d. $16.31

Too big.

Too big.

Can’t End in two Zeroes.

L = Let the Answer Stay or Rework the Problem

I got that one correct, but I may have to rework the next one!

How do you UNRAAVEL?

UU nderline the questionNN ow predict what you think you need to do to solve the problem RR ead the word problemAA re the important words circled? (especially clue words)AA pply the step(s) you chose to solve the problemVV erify your answer (is it reasonable; does it make sense?)EE liminate wrong answersLL et the answer stay or rework the problem Double check your work!

UNRAAVEL Strategy Adapted from the Work and Property of Larry Bell. (http://www.larry-bell.com/ )

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