The document outlines a six-step process for solving science word problems algebraically: 1) List the known values and variables; 2) Identify the unknown value; 3) Select the appropriate formula; 4) Rewrite the formula if needed to solve for the unknown; 5) Plug the known values into the formula; 6) Solve the formula and include units in the answer. An example of finding the area of a 2m by 1.5m surface is provided to demonstrate the process.

1. Science Word Problem Solving Steps Step-by-Step Procedure to Solve algebraic Science Problems

2. Problem Example Here is a typical word problem based on a familiar concept. What is the area of a surface that is 2 meters long and 1.5 meters wide?

3. Step One From the problem, list what you already know (the knowns ). Include variable , number and unit for each term. In this example, what is given? Length = 2 meters Width = 1.5 meters Knowns: l = 2m w = 1.5m

4. Step Two List what you are solving for as “?” and a unit ( unknown ). We are calculating area in this example. Unknown: Area = ? square meters Unknown: A = ? m 2

5. Step Three What formula do we need for this problem? Write the appropriate formula based upon knowns and unknown In this example, the formula we need is Area = Length x width A = lw

6. Step Four (if needed) Rewrite the formula to solve it for the unknown, if necessary. The example doesn’t need rewritten. We are already solving for area. If the unknown was length, we would rewrite the formula, solving for length l = A/w

7. Step Five Put the knowns (numbers and units) in formula For this example A = (2m)(1.5m)

8. Step Six Solve the formula, including units with the answer For the example Area = 3.0 m 2 A = 3.0m 2

9. This method works for most of the numeric science problems you will encounter, especially ones which involve applying formulas to equations.