Word Problems. Two simple words that evoke more fear and loathing than most other math concepts and question types combined.
\nWhen the subject of word problems arises, you might envision the following nightmare:
\nTwo trains are loaded with equal amounts of rock salt and ball bearings. Train A leaves Frogboro at 10:00 a.m. carrying 62 passengers. Train B leaves Toadville at 11:30 a.m. carrying 104 passengers. If Train A is traveling at a speed of 85 mph and makes four stops, and Train B is traveling at an average speed of 86 mph and makes three stops, and the trains both arrive at Lizard Hollow at 4:30 p.m., what is the average weight of the passengers on Train B?
\nThe good news is that you won\u2019t see anything this ugly. SSAT word problems are pretty straightforward. Generally, all you have to do is translate the prose to math and solve.
\nThe bad news is that you can expect to see a lot of word problems on your test. Keep in mind that, while word problems are generally algebra problems, they can contain other math concepts.
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| When you see: <\/th> | Think: <\/th><\/tr> |
|---|---|
| sum, plus, more than, added to, combined total<\/td> | +<\/td><\/tr> |
| minus, less than, difference between, decreased by<\/td> | –<\/td><\/tr> |
| is, was, equals, is equivalent to, is the same as, adds up to<\/td> | =<\/td><\/tr> |
| times, product, multiplied by, of, twice, double, triple<\/td> | x<\/td><\/tr> |
| divided by, over, quotient, per, out of, into<\/td> | \u00f7<\/td><\/tr> |
| what, how much, how many, a number<\/td> | x<\/em>, n<\/em>, etc.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div> |