STEM Excellence Series: Empowering the Next Generation

PROBLEM

Problem

Definition Of Problem

Problem is a question that is solved by using mathematics.

Example of Problem

Gary bought 25 cherries and 78 cheesecakes for the party. How many cakes did he buy altogether?
Here the question is 'How many cakes did he buy altogether?'
This is the problem to be solved.

Video Examples: Good Will Hunting Maths Problem

Solved Example on Problem

Ques: 'Mary traveled 56 miles north, and then traveled 89 miles west.' What problem could be made based on this data?

Choices:

A. How many miles did she travel in all?
B. Did Mary sleeps while traveling?
C. Is North larger or the west?
D. none of these
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

Step 1: Mary traveled 56 miles north, and then traveled 89 miles west.
Step 2: This data describes about the journey of Mary.
Step 3: From this data, we can find the total distance that she traveled.
Step 4: So, 'How many miles did she travel in all?' is the appropriate question that can be asked based on this data.

Quick Summary

  • Problems are questions that can be solved using math.
  • Real-world examples can be expressed as mathematical problems.
  • Understanding the question is the first step to solving a problem.
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🍎 Teacher Insights

Encourage students to read the problem carefully and identify the key information. Have them explain the problem in their own words before attempting to solve it.

🎓 Prerequisites

  • Basic Arithmetic
  • Reading Comprehension

Check Your Knowledge

Q1: Sarah has 10 apples and gives 3 to her friend. How many apples does Sarah have left?

Q2: Tom bought 5 cookies for $2 each. How much did he spend in total?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What makes something a math problem?
A: It involves numbers, requires calculations, and asks you to find an unknown value or answer.

Q: Why are word problems important?
A: They help us apply math to real-life situations and improve problem-solving skills.

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