Sometimes math is not just numbers — it comes wrapped in a little story. Those stories are called word problems. Don't worry, they are not tricky once you know how to read them.
What is a word problem
A word problem is a tiny tale with numbers in it. At the end, the story asks you a question. Like this:
Anna had 7 stickers. Her dad gave her 5 more. How many stickers does Anna have now?
The story tells you what is happening. The question — "how many?" — is the part you have to answer.
Three steps that always work
Read the whole story slowly. Picture it in your head.
Find the numbers and the action. Did things get added or taken away?
Calculate the answer and write it down with the right unit.
