Tutor Help: Word Problems
Stuck on story problems? Recap the strategy, try the self-help fixes, or preview a tutor request.
Word problems reward process, not speed: Understand (underline the question), Plan (list the steps), Solve (one step at a time, labeled), Check (answer the actual question + sanity-check the size).
The question word chooses the operation: “altogether” → add, “how many more” → subtract, “each” → multiply or divide. Numbers never choose for you.
Most errors come from skipping steps: doing two operations mentally, or circling step one as the final answer. Slow is smooth, smooth is correct.
How to get unstuck in 5 minutes
- 1Re-read the lesson section that matches your problem.
- 2Work one practice problem with the hint turned on.
- 3Check your answer with the step-by-step tool.
- 4Still stuck? Use the demo request form below.
1 Quick self-help
Three fixes that solve most stuck moments.
Do not know where to start?
Underline the question, then plan backwards: “to find X I need Y and Z.” Each “I need” is one computation. Start there.
Answer feels wrong?
Run the size rules: change < paid, total > each part, per-item < total. If the story says impossible, recompute — do not argue with the story.
Lost in the middle?
Label every intermediate result (“total cost = $13.50”). A labeled number can be checked; a mystery number cannot.
2 Common questions
Short answers to the questions tutors hear most.
3 Ask a tutor
Describe where you are stuck. A tutor reply workflow is coming soon.