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Word problems test both your math skills and your reading comprehension. To answer them correctly, read each question carefully, identify what’s being asked, determine the necessary operations, and note any required units.
Word problems often contain irrelevant information. Focus on the question itself. For example:
Question: Kim won 80 % of her games in June and 90 % in July. She played 4 games in June and 10 in July. How many games did Kim win in July?
The only data we need is the July information: 90 % of 10 games. Answer: 0.9 × 10 = 9 games.
Sometimes you must derive an intermediate value. For instance:
Question: On a test with 80 questions, Abel got 4 wrong. What percentage did he answer correctly?
First, find the number answered correctly: 80 – 4 = 78. Then compute the percentage: 78 ÷ 80 × 100 = 97.5 %.
Rewriting the problem can simplify calculations, especially without a calculator. Example:
Question: Gina needs at least 92 % on a 200‑question exam to earn an A. How many questions must she answer correctly?
Standard approach: 200 × 0.92 = 184 questions. An alternative is to double 92: 92 × 2 = 184. Both give the same result.
Similarly, to find 77 % of 50, compute 50 × 0.77 = 38.5, or divide 77 by 2.
When the answer involves time or other units, convert decimals appropriately. Example:
Scenario: Cassie works 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. (9 h) each weekday. She worked 82 % of her shift on Wednesday and 100 % on the other four days. What percent of the week did she miss, and how much total time did she work?
• Total weekly hours: 9 h × 5 days = 45 h.
• Wednesday: 0.82 × 9 h = 7.38 h (missed 1.62 h).
• Missed percentage: 1.62 ÷ 45 × 100 = 3.6 %.
• Total worked time: 7.38 h + (9 h × 4) = 43.38 h.
Converting the fractional hour: 0.38 h × 60 min = 22.8 min (22 min 48 s). Thus Cassie missed 3.6 % of the week and worked 43 h 22 min 48 s in total.
