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Ontario Tech acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.

We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

Learn more about Indigenous Education and Cultural Services

Word Problems

This is a guide on how to solve word problems!

Definition of a Word Problem:

Before you start to solve word problems, it is important to understand what a word problem is. A word problem is a mathematical exercise which is in the form of a hypothetical question that needs mathematical analysis and equations to be solved. A good way to solve word problems is by using the method called “GRASS.” GRASS is an acronym for Given, Required, Analysis, Solution, and Statement. You can use GRASS, step by step, to break down a word problem, making it easier to solve.

GRASS:

Given: Identify the given information in the question. What values are given and what do they represent? It may be helpful to know the following terms that are sometimes used in math questions and what they mean:

Term

Meaning

Sum

+ (addition)

Difference

- (subtraction)

Product

* (multiplication)

Quotient

/ (division)

Required: Look at what the question is actually asking you to find. Whatever it is, represent it with a variable e.g., x.

Analysis: If applicable, draw a sketch if one is not already provided. Decide on the appropriate math techniques to use and the formulas that relate the different quantities of interest. Whenever possible, use one variable only. For example, if you're looking for two numbers that differ by 5, then let x, and x+5 (or x and x-5) represent the two numbers, NOT x and y. Alternatively, you may be able to use some information presented in the question to help you rewrite your equation in terms of one variable only.

Solution: Solve the equation or find the answer you're looking for. You’ll have to think hard about the various math techniques you’ve learned in your courses to figure out which ones work for this particular question. Make sure your solution(s) makes sense in the context of the application—e.g., a negative area doesn't make any sense.

Statement: Finish off with a concluding statement to make clear the answer to the question. If applicable, include units in your answer.

Here is a simple example to show how GRASS is used to solve a word problem.

Example:

The perimeter of a rectangular park is 26 m. If the length of the park is 5m, what is the width of the park?

Given: In this question, we are given the perimeter of the rectangular park as 26 m. We are also told that the length of the park is 5 m. So, P= 26m and L= 5m.

Required: The question asks: “What is the width of the park?” From this we know we have to find the width. Find: w = ?

Analysis: We can draw a sketch of the rectangular park to find out what formulas we might have to use to find the width.

Note: The longer sides are the lengths and the shorter sides are the widths.

Word Problem Sketch

So from this sketch, we can see that we need the formula for the perimeter of a rectangle.

P= 2L + 2w

If we rearrange the equation for w, then we get

w = (P – 2L) ÷ 2

The simplified equation is,

w = P/2 - L

Solution: So now that we have our equation, we can solve for the unknown variable w by subbing in our known variables, P and L.

w = (26m)/2   -  5m

w = 13m - 5m

w = 8m 

Statement: We found that the width is 8 metres. So now write your final answer from your solution in words.

Therefore, the width of the rectangular park is 8 metres.

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