Math Problems aren’t the Problem
We’ve all witnessed it. A student encounters a word problem and immediately freezes or sighs with frustration. Their instinct? Glance at the problem and either make a random guess, shut down completely, or desperately ask, “Do I multiply or divide?”
It’s not just that word problems feel challenging—they often fail to connect with students in ways that feel authentic or relevant to their lives.
Here’s the truth: It’s not the math that’s the problem—it’s how we present it.
“Improving math scores by 0.5 standard deviation for children up to age 12 is associated with larger increases in earnings by age 30 than other equivalent improvements. For example, a half standard deviation increase in preschool math scores raises earnings by 2.5 percent, while a half standard deviation increase in middle childhood raises earnings by 3.5 percent. Notably, girls see a greater increase in adulthood earnings from an improvement in math scores than boys—more than three-quarters of a percentage point at every life stage.”
The Disconnect
Many textbook word problems exist in a parallel universe disconnected from students’ experiences. They feature unfamiliar names, contrived situations, and wildly unrealistic scenarios. (When did you last need to divide 364 watermelons into seven baskets evenly?) This disconnect makes it exponentially harder for students to engage, reason, and apply mathematical concepts meaningfully.
If we want students to understand problems truly, we need to fundamentally work on reimagining word problems.
Why Traditional Word Problems Fail
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They Lack Authentic Context: When students have no background knowledge about a scenario, they struggle to comprehend it—let alone solve it mathematically.
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They Feel Artificial: Most problems don’t connect to students’ interests, cultures, or daily realities, making math irrelevant to their lives.
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They Train Students to Look for Shortcuts, Not Understanding: Rather than reasoning through problems thoroughly, students hunt for “keywords” (like “more” signaling addition or “fewer” indicating subtraction), which frequently leads to misconceptions and errors.
Reimagining word problems
✅ Center Real-World Scenarios That Resonate
Instead of abstract trains leaving stations at different times, let students calculate things that matter—like determining how long it takes to save for desired items, analyzing social media engagement patterns, or planning a budget for a class event.
✅ Empower Students to Create Their Problems
Flip the traditional script! Give students numbers or operations and challenge them to design authentic, real-world problems. When students take ownership of problem creation, engagement naturally skyrockets.
✅ Incorporate Cultural References & Personal Interests
Build problems around community-based examples. Have students analyze local business data and sports statistics they care about or create problems based on their cultural experiences and family contexts.
✅ Foster Rich Discussion & Multiple Solution Paths
Move beyond the hunt for a single “correct” approach. Instead, create space for students to explain their reasoning processes and compare different solution strategies, deepening mathematical understanding.
The Transformation
When students disengage from word problems, it’s rarely because they lack mathematical ability—it’s because the math isn’t speaking their language or addressing their reality. By shifting from abstract, disconnected problems to authentic, engaging, and meaningful scenarios, we transform word problems from something students dread into challenges worth solving.
How are you reimagining word problems to be relevant and engaging in your classroom? Share your innovative approaches below! 👇 Visit our website to join a community of math ceiling breakers.
#MathEducation #RealWorldMath #MakingMathMakeSense #MathEquity #StudentEngagement
Elly Blanco-Rowe
Educational Consultant
Let’s rewrite the narrative around math together—because the future deserves more problem-solvers, dreamers, and change makers.