STEP CHART (example)
A: Word problem
Madeline and Pat were comparing their doll collection. Madeline has 3 less than Pat. Madeline has 2 dolls. How many dolls does Pat have?
B: Inverse Word problem
Madeline and Pat were comparing their doll collection. Madeline has 3 less than Pat. Pat has 5 dolls. How many dolls does Madeline have?
First Step: Identify the givens and the question
A:
Givens:
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Madeline has 3 less than Pat
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Madeline has 2 dolls
Question:
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How many dolls does Pat have?
B:
Givens:
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Madeline has 3 less than Pat
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Pat has 5 dolls
Question:
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How many dolls does Madeline have
Second Step: Identify the operation(s) needed to find the answer and then solve
A:
Operation identified
Addition
Equation written and solved
2 + 3 = 5 dolls
Pat has 5 dolls.
B:
Operation identified
Subtraction
Equation written and solved
5 - 3 = 2
Madeline has 2 dolls.
Third Step: Identify the connection between both problems and reasoning.
The connection between the problems is explained.
Addition is the opposite of subtraction. If 2 + 3 = 5, then 5 - 2 must equal 3, and 5 - 3 must equal 2.
The reasoning behind the method and solution is given.
A: It is stated that Madeline has 2 dolls but also has 3 less than Pat. If Madeline has 3 less, then Pat then must have 3 more than Madeline. Since Pat has 3 more than Madeline, 3 must be added to the 2 dolls Madeline has to come up with Pat’s total of 5.
B:
It is stated that Pat has 5 dolls and that Madeline has 3 less than Pat. Since Madeline has 3 less than the given number of 5 that Pat has, 3 must be subtracted from 5 to total Madeline’s 2 dolls.
