The Problem:

Have you ever read a question and thought:

• "I don't know where to start..."

• "This is confusing..."

• "What do they want me to do?"

Example 1: "How much is left?"

What it's really asking: SUBTRACTION - find the difference

Example: "Pedro had 7/8 cup of juice. He drank 1/4 cup. How much is left?"

→ This means: 7/8 - 1/4 = ?

Example 2: "How many times as much?"

What it's really asking: MULTIPLICATION or DIVISION

Example: "Jenny's rope is 3/4 meter long. Mike's rope is 3 times as long. How long is Mike's rope?"

→ This means: 3/4 × 3 = ?

Example 3: "What's the perimeter?"

What it's really asking: ADDITION - add all the sides

Example: "A triangle has sides of 5 inches, 7 inches, and 9 inches. What's the perimeter?"

→ This means: 5 + 7 + 9 = ?

❌ Mistake #1: Jumping Right to Solving

Problem: You see numbers and start calculating without understanding what you're finding.

Solution: ALWAYS read the full question and identify what it's asking FIRST!

❌ Mistake #2: Ignoring Key Words

Problem: You miss words like "altogether," "more than," "left," which tell you what operation to use.

Solution: Highlight or underline key words in the question!

❌ Mistake #3: Using All the Numbers

Problem: Sometimes extra information is given that you don't need!

Solution: Ask yourself: "Do I need THIS number to answer the question?"

❌ Mistake #4: Not Checking If Your Answer Makes Sense

Problem: Your answer doesn't match what the question asked for.

Solution: Always go back to "What was this asking me?" and check if your answer matches!

Let's Analyze This:

It Breaks Down Complex Tasks

Instead of feeling overwhelmed by a whole problem, you focus on one question at a time.

It Prevents Careless Mistakes

When you know what you're looking for, you're less likely to do the wrong operation or miss steps.

It Works for ANY Subject

Math, reading, science, social studies - any time you face a question, these three questions help!

It Builds Confidence

When you have a strategy, you feel more in control and less anxious about problems.

Activity: Write a Word Problem

Choose one of these scenarios and write a word problem:

• Adding fractions (baking, measuring, etc.)

• Subtracting fractions (food eaten, distance traveled, etc.)

• Finding area (garden, room, playground, etc.)

• Finding volume (container, pool, box, etc.)

• Multi-step problem (combining operations)

Main Idea:

Before solving any problem, understand what it's asking you to do!

The Three Questions:

1. What is this question asking me to FIND/DO?

2. What do I NEED TO KNOW to answer it?

3. What INFORMATION do I have?

Why It Matters:

• Prevents mistakes

• Makes complex problems manageable

• Works in all subjects

• Builds confidence

How to Practice:

• Use it on EVERY word problem

• Write out the three questions

• Check your answer against what was asked

At First:

This strategy might feel slow and you have to think about each step.