{"id":8207,"date":"2021-02-23T08:00:43","date_gmt":"2021-02-23T16:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/sat\/?p=8207"},"modified":"2022-06-14T06:42:53","modified_gmt":"2022-06-14T13:42:53","slug":"sat-math-word-problems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/sat\/sat-math-word-problems\/","title":{"rendered":"SAT Math: Word Problems"},"content":{"rendered":"

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If the phrase “word problems” makes you want to throw your SAT prep materials at the wall, know that you’re definitely not alone. Word problems are HARD if you’re not used to translating them into numbers. And the bad news? The SAT Math section LOOOVES their word problems \u2014 they comprise 25% of the Math section<\/a>!<\/p>\n

But wait, before you actually<\/em> destroy your SAT prep book or, worse, your laptop, know that anyone can become an SAT word problem master with some practice. Even if you’re a pro at making mathematical equations out of word problems, this post will cover tactics to help you solve word problems in record time. <\/p>\n

The Different Strategies for Tackling SAT Word Problems<\/h2>\n

As if word problems weren’t hard enough, not all word problems are created equal. Some want you to create an equation, some want you to pick an equation, and some are just bent on sounding like this: If the number of apples Mary has is twice the absolute value of chocolate, how many zebras on train B will travel to San Diego on shmoople zeeple heeple?<\/em><\/p>\n

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“Huh?” is right. It’s absolutely right.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To master SAT word problems, you need to become familiar with different types of SAT word problems and what strategy<\/a> \u2014 or combination of strategies \u2014 is best for the problem and easiest for you. There are three main strategies for word problems: Active Reading, Process of Elimination, and Picking Numbers.<\/p>\n

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\nActive Reading:<\/strong> You have might have learned of the active reading strategy on the SAT, which is when you go through the reading comprehension passages<\/a> while underlining or taking notes to better remember and make sense of the material. But this strategy also comes in pretty handy for SAT Math word problems and can easily be combined with the strategies below. Click here to see a few examples of active reading in practice.<\/a><\/p>\n

Process of Elimination:<\/strong> Process of elimination is when you plug in answer choices in the context of the problem. Obviously, it only works when there are answer choices. If you feel like active reading is going to slow you down, definitely try process of elimination — click here for an example!<\/a><\/p>\n

Picking Numbers:<\/strong> Sometimes word problems have equations in the question and answer choices. If this is the case, picking numbers and plugging them into given equations is a great strategy to speed things up. To see picking numbers in action, click here.<\/a><\/p>\n

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Active Reading and SAT Math <\/h2>\n

While it may feel like it takes longer than reading passively, active reading for the right kind of SAT word problem will actually save you a ton of time in the long run. Why? Because active reading forces you to work through problems as you’re reading them and by doing so, you often find yourself at or near the answer by the time you’re done reading the question<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Don’t believe me? Check out how active reading works in this problem:<\/p>\n

Carrie invites some friends to a party. For every two friends who bring snacks, there are five who bring nothing with them. If the number of friends who bring nothing is 15 more than the number of friends who contribute snacks, how many friends in total arrive at the party?<\/div>\n

 
\nYikes, even I\u2019m getting a headache looking at it and I\u2019ve read it already. But before we get overwhelmed by all these words, understand that the key to approaching these types of problems is a two-step process:<\/p>\n

Step 1. Draw your attention to the numbers and what they mean in the context of the problem.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\nClick here to review Step 1!<\/strong><\/summary>\n

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In other words, what kind of equation are these numbers making? The chart below can help you figure out how to translate key words into their equivalent operators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Words<\/th>\nTheir equivalent operators<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Total of, added to, increased, sum<\/td>\n+<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Decreased by, subtracted from, difference<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Times, product<\/td>\nx<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Same, equivalent, equals, is<\/td>\n=<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Less than<\/td>\n<<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Greater than, more than<\/td>\n><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Greater than or equal to<\/td>\n\u2265<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Less than or equal to<\/td>\n\u2264<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n


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\nStep 2. Pay close attention to what you’re supposed to answer<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nClick here to review Step 2!<\/strong><\/summary>\n

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When I was studying for the SAT (a century ago), I had spent a lot of time beating my head on the table because I picked the answer choice for x<\/em> when I really was supposed to find x<\/em> + 1, or that I solved for inches instead of feet. Underlining or circling what you’re supposed to find will save you headaches… Trust. Me. <\/p>\n

Take a look at the question again and see if you can spot any words from the chart, and highlight what you need to solve.<\/p>\n

Carrie invites some friends to a party. For every two friends who bring snacks, there are five who bring nothing with them. If the number of friends who bring nothing is 15 more than the number of friends who contribute snacks, how many friends in total arrive at the party?<\/div>\n<\/details>\n

 
\nNow check out the slides below to see an example of how active reading and annotations help you get to the answer. In this example, I used both underlining and notes in the margin. Both options are good if you’re new to active reading for SAT word problems, but I prefer just writing notes in the margin because it saves time while helping me create the equation that I need to solve.<\/p>\n

\nClick here to review the slides<\/strong><\/summary>\n


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