UNRAAVEL a Math Problem
Sure-Fire Steps to Becoming a Math Genius!
UNRAAVEL Strategy
presented by Larry I. Bell.
Sometimes it can be difficult
to figure out what to do when
you are faced with a word problem.
Even Albert Einstein said:
“Do not worry about your
difficulties in Mathematics. I
can assure you mine are still
greater.”
Period 1
U = Underline the question
Find the question and
Underline it!
The Saints scored
three less than
double the points
scored by the
Colts. If the Colts
scored 17 points,
how many points
did the Saints
score?
The bungee chord stretched 150%
of its original length during the first
drop. If the chord is 160 feet in
length, what distance did the chord
stretch during the initial descent?
Period 1 - ANSWERS
U = Underline the question
Find the question and
Underline it!
The Saints scored
three less than
double the points
scored by the
Colts. If the Colts
scored 17 points,
how many points
did the Saints
score?
The bungee chord stretched 150%
of its original length during the first
drop. If the chord is 160 feet in
length, what distance did the chord
stretch during the initial descent?
N = Now Predict
Period 2
Do you think the answer will be larger or
smaller? Do you think you will need to
add, subtract, multiply, or divide? Are
The bungee chord stretched 150%
there any hints that you may need to
of its original length during the first
estimate?
The Saints scored
three less than
double the points
scored by the
Colts. If the Colts
scored 17 points,
how many points
did the Saints
score?
Larger or smaller than 17?
Add, subtract, multiply and/or divide?
drop. If the chord is 160 feet in
length, what distance did the chord
stretch during the initial descent?
Larger or
smaller than
160?
Add, subtract,
multiply and/or
divide?
N = Now Predict
Period 2 ANSWERS
Do you think the answer will be larger or
smaller? Do you think you will need to
add, subtract, multiply, or divide? Are
The bungee chord stretched 150%
there any hints that you may need to
of its original length during the first
estimate?
“of” indicates
drop. If the chord is 160 feet in
muliplication
length, what distance did the chord
The Saints scored
three less than
double the points
scored by the
Colts. If the Colts
scored 17 points,
how many points
did the Saints
score?
Larger or smaller than 17?
Add, subtract, multiply and/or divide?
stretch during the initial descent?
Larger or
smaller than
160?
Add, subtract,
multiply and/or
divide?
R = Read the Word Problem
A = Are there important words?
The Saints scored
three less than
double the points
scored by the
Colts. If the Colts
scored 17 points,
how many points
did the Saints
score?
Period 3
The bungee chord stretched 150%
of its original length during the first
drop. If the chord is 160 feet in
length, what distance did the chord
stretch during the initial descent?
R = Read the Word Problem
A = Are there important words?
The Saints scored
three less than
double the points
scored by the
Colts. If the Colts
scored 17 points,
how many points
did the Saints
score?
Period 3
The bungee chord stretched 150%
of its original length during the first
drop. If the chord is 160 feet in
length, what distance did the chord
stretch during the initial descent?
Period 4
V = Verify Your Answer. (Is it reasonable? Does it Make Sense?)
A = Apply the Steps You Chose to Solve the Problem
The Saints scored
three less than
double the points
scored by the
Colts. If the Colts
scored 17 points,
how many points
did the Saints
score?
What would
you estimate
for a score?
The bungee chord stretched 150%
of its original length during the first
drop. If the chord is 160 feet in
length, what distance did the chord
stretch during the initial descent?
What is your
estimate of the
stretched rope?
Period 4 ANSWERS
V = Verify Your Answer. (Is it reasonable? Does it Make Sense?)
A = Apply the Steps You Chose to Solve the Problem
The bungee chord stretched 150%
The Saints scored
of its original length during the first
three less than
drop. If the chord is 160 feet in
double the points
length, what distance did the chord
scored by the
stretch during the initial descent?
Colts. If the Colts
scored 17 points,
C = Chord Length
how many points
S = Stretched Length
did the Saints
S = 150% x C
score?
S = 1.5 x 160
S = Saints’ score
C = Colts’ score
S = 2C – 3 for C = 17
S = 2(17) – 3 = 31 points
S = 240 feet
E = Eliminate Wrong Answers.
Period 5
The Saints scored
three less than double The bungee chord stretched 150%
the points scored by
of its original length during the first
the Colts. If the Colts
drop. If the chord is 160 feet in
scored 17 points, how length, what distance did the chord
many points did the
stretch during the initial descent?
Saints score?
a.80
a. 17
b.160
b. 13
c.240
c. 37
d.320
d. 31
E = Eliminate Wrong Answers.
Period 5 ANSWERS
The Saints scored
three less than
double the points
scored by the
Colts. If the Colts
scored 17 points,
how many points
did the Saints
score?
The bungee chord stretched 150%
of its original length during the first
drop. If the chord is 160 feet in
length, what distance did the chord
stretch during the initial descent?
a. 80 Too low
b. 160Too low
a. 17
Too low
c. 240
b. 13
Too low
d. 320Too high
c. 37
Too high
d. 31
L = Let
Period 6
the Answer Stay or Rework the Problem
The Saints scored
three less than double The bungee chord stretched 150%
the points scored by
of its original length during the first
the Colts. If the Colts
drop. If the chord is 160 feet in
scored 17 points, how length, what distance did the chord
many points did the
stretch during the initial descent?
Saints score?
a.80
a. 17
b.160
b. 13
c.240
c. 37
d.320
d. 31
Is the answer
Is the answer
reasonable? Why or
why not?
reasonable?
Why or why
not?
L = Let
Period 6 ANSWERS
the Answer Stay or Rework the Problem
The Saints scored
three less than double The bungee chord stretched 150%
the points scored by
of its original length during the first
the Colts. If the Colts
drop. If the chord is 160 feet in
scored 17 points, how length, what distance did the chord
many points did the
stretch during the initial descent?
Saints score?
a.80
a. 17
b.160
b. 13
c.240
c. 37
d.320
d. 31
Is the answer
Is the answer
reasonable? Why or
why not?
reasonable?
Why or why
not?