Math Word Problems Demystified [Paperback]

Allan Bluman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 27, 2004 | ISBN-10: 0071443169 | ISBN-13: 978-0071443166 | Edition: 1

Word problems are the most difficult part of any math course –- and the most important to both the SATs and other standardized tests. This book teaches proven methods for analyzing and solving any type of math word problem.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Word Problems? NO PROBLEM!

Now anyone, even those whose palms begin to sweat at the first sight of math problems that begin "A train left the station going 65 mph..." can overcome anxiety and learn to solve word problems. In Math Word Problems Demystified, experienced math instructor Allan G. Bluman provides an effective, tension-free, approach to conquering the word problems on the SATs and many other standardized tests, in algebra, and in other mathematics and science classes.

With Math Word Problems Demystified, you master the subject one simple step at a time -- at your own speed. This unique self-teaching guide offers practice problems, a quiz at the end of each chapter to pinpoint weaknesses, and a 40 question final exam to reinforce the methods and material presented in the book.

If you want to master math word problems, here's the self-teaching course that will get it done. Get ready to --

• Transform word problems into solvable equations
• Master a 4-step strategy that empowers you to understand and solve the most common word problems
• Conquer word problems involving distances, mixtures, levers, finance, work, speed, percents, coins, ages, and more
• Obtain the right answers using formulas and proportions
• Score better on science and math exams as well as standardized tests

A fast, effective, and fun way to master word problems, Math Word Problems Demystified is the perfect shortcut to gain the confidence and develop the necessary skills to solve these tough test questions.

About the Author

Allan G. Blumantaught mathematics and statistics in high school, college, and graduate school for 39 years. He received his Ed.D. from the University of Pittsburgh and has written three mathematics textbooks published by McGraw-Hill. Mr. Bluman is the recipient of "An Apple for the Teacher Award" for bringing excellence to the learning environment, and the "Most Successful Revision of a Textbook" award from McGraw-Hill. His biographical record appears in Who’s Who in American Education, Fifth Edition. Alan Bluman is the author of Pre-Algebra Demystified.

Product Details

• Paperback: 308 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional; 1 edition (July 27, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071443169
• ISBN-13: 978-0071443166
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #379,024 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource, September 29, 2005

By 

John B. Vondohren (Omaha, NE) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Math Word Problems Demystified (Paperback)

I checked this book out of the library just because I always enjoyed doing story problems. What it does is give you a methodology to solve all those story problems you always struggled through in school. I worked virtually every problem in the book, just because I found it fascinating. It's amazing what algebra can do for you! I never realized how practical it was. I thought this was a great book for providing a solid understanding of how to do story problems. And if you like doing story problems, this one will give you plenty of practice!

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Follow the examples and you'll be just fine!, May 16, 2006

By 

Sarah Rainsberger (Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Math Word Problems Demystified (Paperback)

What most people can (and should) like about this book is that there are several questions clearly and fully solved.

Each chapter is set up like a "lesson" with a short explanation of the type of problem, some vocabulary, and then a handful of annotated solutions to problems. Lastly, each chapter finishes off with 5 - 10 problems for you to try, and then gives their full solutions immediately thereafter.

I love the format of the book. Having written "textbooks" by hand for use with my own students, I know that they appreciate having the answers IMMEDIATELY AFTER the questions. This way, each chapter is truly self-contained, the way it should be! ;)

What I'm less fond of is the way the concepts are actually explained. Some "lessons" are better than others, but in general they are a little too superficial for my liking. You're probably not going to understand the *why* of what you're doing with this book, but if you just skim over the instructions and follow the solutions, step-by-step, you will almost certainly get the *how* -- which is what most people want anyway, I suppose!

I use these books to train my staff of tutors. How I will likely use this book is to show them the description as written, and then we'll discuss all the questions that students will probably ask because the description doesn't quite illuminate the concepts.

I do feel compelled to give this book a 5, (even though I personally am lukewarm when it comes to the prose) because I really do feel most people will be able to learn *how* to do these common types of word problems simply by following the examples in this book.

This book would be great for students prepping for the SAT who feel intimidated by the mathematics word problems. This will provide a nice foundation set of skills to have before teaching all the "tricks" and harder problems of the SAT. This alone is not sufficient for SAT prep, but it's excellent "SAT prep" prep!

With respect to the Ontario, Canada school curriculum, these problems are covered in both grades 9 and 10, so that's the grade level of the content. This is not a book for senior high school grades.. High-average to advanced students could also easily digest this material in Gr. 7 and 8.

I would say it would be a helpful book for any Grade 9/10 student to have, as extra practice to accompany their school textbook or to get ready for SAT prep, and I will recommend it to my students.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely wonderful book, February 6, 2007

By 

BB Gunn "GA teacher" (Macon Georgia) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Math Word Problems Demystified (Paperback)

Get this for your 6th grade student. It reviews math they have had and teaches how to figure out word problems. It has great explanations and examples. It has practice problems and then quizzes at the end of a unit. Answers are either right after the problems or at the back of the book. Parents can use this to help kids, and math teachers can certainly use it for probably 5th through 8th or 9th grades.