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#1 2023-10-08 00:41:50

sologuitar
Member
Registered: 2022-09-19
Posts: 467

Students Fear Word Problems

In your opinion, why do most students fear and struggle with word problems?
Can it be a reading comprehension problem?

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#2 2023-10-08 04:15:44

Bob
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Registered: 2010-06-20
Posts: 10,621

Re: Students Fear Word Problems

It might be that. I find maths as a langauge easy and unambiguous.  'Ordinary' English can be confusing and have more than one meaning. Generally, if I meet a wordy problem, I 'convert it' into symbols, algebra maybe, or a diagram, and then I find I can better understand what's involved.

Bob


Children are not defined by school ...........The Fonz
You cannot teach a man anything;  you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
Sometimes I deliberately make mistakes, just to test you!  …………….Bob smile

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#3 2023-10-08 18:11:31

sologuitar
Member
Registered: 2022-09-19
Posts: 467

Re: Students Fear Word Problems

Bob wrote:

It might be that. I find maths as a langauge easy and unambiguous.  'Ordinary' English can be confusing and have more than one meaning. Generally, if I meet a wordy problem, I 'convert it' into symbols, algebra maybe, or a diagram, and then I find I can better understand what's involved.

Bob

Often there is very limited time for students to create an equation, table, venn diagram, etc to help them solve word problems on a timed test.

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#4 2023-10-08 22:40:15

Bob
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Registered: 2010-06-20
Posts: 10,621

Re: Students Fear Word Problems

True but you can get quicker with practice.

B


Children are not defined by school ...........The Fonz
You cannot teach a man anything;  you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
Sometimes I deliberately make mistakes, just to test you!  …………….Bob smile

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#5 2023-10-09 17:14:39

sologuitar
Member
Registered: 2022-09-19
Posts: 467

Re: Students Fear Word Problems

Bob wrote:

True but you can get quicker with practice.

B

If you say so. I say some people just never fully understand how to quickly solve word problems regardless of practice time.

Four Questions

1. What is your math background?

2. What is your favorite math course and why?

3. Do you like math more than physics or vice-versa?

4. What is your favorite type of math word problem and why?

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