Word problems
Turn a story into an equation, solve it, and answer in words.
Planned. This module is part of the plan and is not written yet.
Why it matters
Real questions arrive as stories: how many chairs for a meeting, or how many weeks of saving for school fees. Turning the story into an equation is how maths gets used.
Draft outline · in review- For
- Level 8–9 · JSS 2 to JSS 3 (BECE)
- Inside
- 5 lessons and a test · about 90 minutes
- Topic
- Linear equations · extension, 3 of 4
Inside the module.
5 lessons in order, about 90 minutes in all, then a short test. Learners go at their own pace; the minutes are a guide, not a timetable.
Draft outline · in review
Lesson 1: From words to letters
Decide what the unknown is and choose a letter for it.
Explain15 min, from minute 0
Lesson 2: Writing the equation
Translate phrases such as 'three times as many' and 'in four years' time'.
Worked example20 min, from minute 15
Lesson 3: Solve and answer in words
Solve, then write the answer as a sentence with units.
Practice20 min, from minute 35
Lesson 4: Does it make sense?
Check answers against the story, and discuss answers that cannot be right, such as half a person.
Discussion15 min, from minute 55
Lesson 5: Review
Mixed word problems, with feedback on each.
Review20 min, from minute 70
End-of-module test
Write equations from word problems, solve them, answer in words with units, and check that each answer fits the story.
Mastered at 85% or more. Retake it until you pass; nothing is lost, and each try gives feedback.
Already know it? A Challenge Test (planned) clears the whole module: 90% overall, no objective below 75%.
Last stageafter about 90 min
Practicalities
Draft outline · in reviewBuilt to run offline
Planned to run on the Lantern's own computer, with no internet needed.
Languages
Planned first in English; every module aims to reach all of the Lantern's languages.
Try a question.
One question from the module, as a learner would meet it. Have a go, then open the worked solution a step at a time.
Draft outline · in review
Aisha is 3 times as old as her brother Musa. In 4 years' time, their ages will add up to 36. How old is Musa now?
Work it out on paper first, then show the answer and mark it yourself.
Particulars
Where it sits
What a learner can do after it
- Choose a letter for the unknown and write an equation from words.
- Solve the equation and answer in the words of the question, with units.
- Check that the answer makes sense in the story.
Needs first
We suggest first (never a lock)
Unlocks
Nothing requires this module yet.
Level
Level 8–9 · JSS 2 to JSS 3 (BECE)
Level mappings are approximate. A qualified teacher or lecturer in each country must check them before they appear in the app.
Difficulty for its level
3 of 4 · Extension
Time
About 90 minutes
Alignments
- Aligned to WASSCEpartial · in reviewWASSCE Mathematics syllabus: linear equations, word problems
- Aligned to SATpartial · in reviewSAT Math, Algebra: linear equations in one variable
Alignment in review until a qualified teacher or lecturer checks it. No exam body, university or vendor endorses us; learners still sit the real exam.
Challenge Test
Planned: a Challenge Test to prove you know it and skip it. Pass at 90% overall, with no objective below 75%.
University courses it previews
Mathematics, Engineering, Computer Science, Economics, Physics
On these pathways
The route here.
Everything this module builds on, drawn as a route from its foundations. Solid lanes must be mastered first, or cleared by a Challenge Test; dashed lanes are suggestions that never lock anything.
- MA-ARI-OPS-01 Adding and subtracting, Level 1–3, Maths. Planned.
- MA-ARI-OPS-01Adding and subtractingMaths · Primary 1 to Primary 3 (Level 1–3) · Planned
- MA-ARI-OPS-02 Multiplication as equal groups, Level 2–3, Maths. Sample lesson in the demo.
- MA-ARI-OPS-02Multiplication as equal groupsMaths · Primary 2 to Primary 3 (Level 2–3) · Sample lesson in the demo Needs Adding and subtracting (required).Try the sample lesson: Multiplication as equal groups
- LA-ENG-RDG-02 Reading for meaning, Level 2–4, Languages. Planned.
- LA-ENG-RDG-02Reading for meaningLanguages · Primary 2 to Primary 4 (Level 2–4) · Planned · recommended
- MA-ARI-OPS-03 Division as sharing and grouping, Level 3–4, Maths. Planned.
- MA-ARI-OPS-03Division as sharing and groupingMaths · Primary 3 to Primary 4 (Level 3–4) · Planned Needs Multiplication as equal groups (required).
- MA-ARI-OPS-04Multiplying and dividing togetherMaths · Primary 3 to Primary 4 (Level 3–4) · Planned Needs Division as sharing and grouping (required).
- MA-ARI-ORD-01Order of operationsMaths · Primary 5 to Primary 6 (Level 5–6) · Planned Needs Multiplying and dividing together (required).
- MA-ALG-LIN-01What an equation meansMaths · Primary 5 to Primary 6 (Level 5–6) · Planned Needs Order of operations (required).
- MA-FDP-OPS-02Adding and subtracting with different denominatorsMaths · Primary 5 to Primary 6 (Level 5–6) · Planned · recommended
- MA-FDP-OPS-03Multiplying fractionsMaths · Primary 5 to JSS 1 (Level 5–7) · Planned · recommended
- MA-ALG-LIN-02One-step equationsMaths · Primary 6 (Level 6) · Planned Needs What an equation means (required).
- MA-ALG-LIN-03Two-step equationsMaths · Primary 6 to JSS 1 (Level 6–7) · Sample lesson in the demo Needs One-step equations (required), Adding and subtracting with different denominators (recommended).Try the sample lesson: Two-step equations
- MA-ALG-LIN-04Unknowns on both sidesMaths · JSS 1 to JSS 2 (Level 7–8) · Planned Needs Two-step equations (required).
- MA-ALG-LIN-05Brackets and fractionsMaths · JSS 2 (Level 8) · Planned Needs Unknowns on both sides (required), Adding and subtracting with different denominators (recommended), Multiplying fractions (recommended).
- MA-ALG-LIN-06Word problemsMaths · JSS 2 to JSS 3 (BECE) (Level 8–9) · Planned · the destination Needs Brackets and fractions (required), Reading for meaning (recommended).
Help light the room where this is learned.
Every route on this map starts in a classroom with 24 stations, a tutor that works offline and a facilitator upstairs. Four are planned and waiting for light.