word problem

A "word problem" translates a real-life scenario into a mathematical challenge, helping students apply math concepts practically.

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Definition

(educational)A mathematical exercise described in ordinary language, requiring translation into a mathematical equation to solve.

The word problem asked how many apples John would have left if he started with 10 and gave away 3.
Solving word problems helps students understand how math applies to real-world situations.

(technical, academic)A question determining if an element of a group or monoid is the identity, given a complex representation.

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "word problem":