Solving Word Problems

Word Problems…Friend or Foe? $Take me home!$
Solving Word Problems in 6th Grade Math

WebQuest Designed by: Ashley Bailey

Introduction
This WebQuest is designed to help you learn strategies to solve Algebraic Word Problems. You and a partner will investigate algebraic word problems and learn strategies for solving these problems. As you investigate, remember that your results will help you in math, from now on!

E.Q. What are some strategies for solving Algebraic Word Problems?

Task
You and a partner will be given a word problem to solve. You will investigate the websites listed below in order to find the best strategies for solving your problem. When you find the way you want to solve your problem, you will then create a PowerPoint slide show that will teach the class how to solve your problem.

Process
Before you begin your WebQuest, click on the appropriate group link to find your word problem. Once you have read and copied your question into a word document or onto a piece of paper, begin investigating the following sites to find the strategy that will best help you solve your problem.

Evaluation

Presentation Rubric
Scale Criteria	1 Below Expectation	2 Needs Improvement	3 Meets Expectation	4 Exceeds Expectation
Students produce a PowerPoint that is attractive and creative.	Use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. is evident, but these often distract from the presentation of content.	Makes use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc., but occasionally they detract from the presentation of content.	Makes good use font, color, graphics, effects etc. to enhance the presentation.	Makes excellent use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. to enhance the presentation.
Students produce a PowerPoint that is organized and easy to follow.	There was no clear way of solving word problems.	Most of the problem solving strategies were the same.	The overall organization and presentation is appropriate.	Content is well organized, easy to understand, and clearly presented.
Students produce a PowerPoint that is mathematically correct.	More than 4 errors in the math.	2-3 mathematical errors.	No mathematical errors were made, but proper vocabulary was not used.	The math was correct and the use of vocabulary was evident.
Students describe an effective way to solve math word problems.	Presentation did not make sense.	Presentation described some useful strategies, but did not solve the problem.	Presentation described steps and solved the word problem.	Presentation was AWESOME!

Conclusion
Once you have investigated different ways to go about solving word problems, the you must create a PowerPoint presentation that explains step-by-step what we should do to solve your word problem. Make sure you have referenced your resources in your slide show. Please review the rubric before beginning the PowerPoint.

Group 1 Question:
Ralf and his best friend want to buy 3 DVDs normally priced at $20 each in stores A, B, and C. Today, stores A, B, and C have the DVDs on sale. At which store(s) will the friends spend the LEAST money if they buy 3 DVDs?

Store	Sale
A	Buy one at regular price and get two for half price each.
B	Each DVD is on sale at a 35% discount.
C	Buy two at regular price and get one free.

Group 2 Question:
Mark wants to buy a scooter that sells for $250.00. He can pay 20% down and the rest in 12 payments each of $24.37. How much more does the bicycle cost buying it this way than paying for it all at once?

Group 3 Question: For her birthday, Jenna received 5 stuffed animals, 3 DVDs, 2 books, 1 game, 8 CDs, 1 shirt, and 2 pair of jeans. What is the ratio of DVDs to her total number of gifts?

Group 4 Question:
Your best friend plays the drums in a new popular band. Each song is 3 to 5 minutes long. Which is the best estimate for the total number of songs that the band could play in a 2-hour concert?

Group 5 Question:
Tommy and Terry have developed a program to help them prepare for a long distance bike trip. They are increasing the number of miles that they ride each week so they will be successful on this trip. The table below shows the number of miles each traveled for the first half of the program.

Week	Tommy	Terry
1	6	3
7	6.5	4
3	7	5
4	7.5	6
5
6
7
8

If both Tommy and Terry continue to increase the number of miles traveled each week at the constant rates shown in the table, which of the following is a true statement about week 8?

Group 6 Question:
Sam picks a apples, and Sally picks 7a+ 2 apples. If Sam picks 8 apples, how many apples does Sally pick?

Group 7 Question:
At her job, Paula is paid $15.00 per hour. When she drives her car for work, she is paid an additional 48.5 per mile. The expression below can be used to find the amount she is paid, in dollars, when she works for h hours and drives m miles in her car.
15h + 0.485m
How much is Paula paid when she works 18 ½ hours and drives 348 miles in her car?

Group 8 Question:
It takes your teacher 10 minutes to grade 3 of your class papers. Which pair of ratios could be used to determine how long will it take her to grade all 117 of her students’ papers?

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Last Edited on December 2, 2010 by Ashley Bailey