The document provides steps for solving a word problem involving drawing a picture and writing an equation: 1. Read the problem carefully to understand what information is given and what needs to be found out. 2. Draw a picture or diagram to organize the information and plan the steps to solve the problem, such as subtracting one amount from the other first before adding. 3. Write out the mathematical equation corresponding to the operations needed to solve the problem, such as addition, and calculate the solution.

1. DRAWING A PICTURE AND
WRITING AN EQUATION TO
SOLVE A WORD PROBLEM
Envision Math Lesson 4-6
Mrs. Sinone’s 4th Grade
Class

2. STEP 1: READ THE PROBLEM!
Make sure you read the entire word problem and can answer these
questions before you move on:
1. What information do you know?
2. What information do you need to figure out?
Try it!
Madison and Maren collect Beenie Boos. Madison has 24 Beenie Boos
and Maren has 6 less than Madison. How many Beenie Boos do they
have in all?
1. What do you know?
2. What do you need to figure out?
Click the next slide to see if you are on the right track!

3. TEST YOUR SKILLS
What do you know?
You know that Madison has 24
You know that Maren has 6 less then Madison
What do you need to figure out?
How many Maren has
How many they have all together

4. STEP 2: PLAN IT OUT
Draw a picture or diagram that
helps you solve your problem
Decide what operation you need
to use to solve the problem
Organize the information that
you know

5. TEST YOUR SKILLS!
Did your drawing look like the
one to the right?
Did you choose to subtract first
and then add?
Find out how many Maren has:
24-6 = 18
Use that to set you your drawing:
?
24 18

6. STEP 3: WRITE EQUATION AND
SOLVE
You need to find the total number that both girls have all together, so
you will need to use addition. Using your diagram you drew, you
know you have 24 and 18 so:
24 + 18 = ?
Now Solve!

7. CHECK YOUR WORK!
Did you get 42? If so you did
everything correctly!