Word-problem structure worksheet

This worksheet trains the step before any calculation: reading a word problem and sorting its parts. It helps students who understand the methods but cannot decide where to begin on an unfamiliar question.

How do I use it?

1. Choose one of the four problems. The first is a rectangular field, and the others cover speed, a discount and a sweets puzzle.
2. Read each part of the problem in the list and pick a label: known value, unknown, relationship or rule, unit asked for, or context only.
3. Change a quantity if you like. The numbers in the problem update.
4. Press Check my labels. Each part shows a tick or the expected label.
5. Read the structure sheet below: known quantities with their units and kinds, the unknown, the relationship, the working and a common mistake.

How does the tool work?

The worksheet compares your label for each part with an answer key written by hand for that problem. It does not read free text, so there is no guessing about what you meant.

The structure sheet is built from the same key. Each quantity shows its kind, such as length, area, money, time or speed, because two values can be combined only when the operation makes sense for their kinds.

The calculation uses the numbers currently in the boxes. Invalid values, such as a time of zero in the speed problem, are rejected before anything is worked out.

What does a worked example look like?

In the field problem, the field is 12 m long and 8 m wide. The known values are 12 m and 8 m, and both are lengths.

The unknowns are the area, in m², and the length of fence, in m. The relationships are area = length × width and fence = 2 × (length + width).

The working gives area = 12 × 8 = 96 m² and fence = 2 × (12 + 8) = 40 m. The contrast shows the mistake of adding 12 + 8 = 20 and calling it the area: 20 is a length in m, not an area in m².

What can the tool not tell you?

It is a guided activity on four reviewed problems, not an AI problem solver. It cannot label a question from your textbook or a past paper.

It also does not teach the methods inside each problem. Use it to practise the habit of sorting a question, then apply the same habit on your own exercises.

How does it connect to the lessons?

The habit of sorting a question helps with why Add Maths feels different from Mathematics and with choosing the right method in an unfamiliar Add Maths question.

If you can follow examples but cannot begin, read I can follow Add Maths examples but cannot start a new question. For long solutions, see recovering after an early mistake in a long solution.

The sweets problem needs an equation, so the algebra step repair trainer is a good next step. To work on this with a teacher, see Additional Mathematics tuition. A one-hour trial class (from RM50) is a real taught lesson.