Why Smart Students Fail Math Word Problems (And How to Fix It)
It is a common scenario: Your child is great at arithmetic. They can solve
2x+4=122x+4=12in their sleep.
But put that same equation inside a paragraph of text about “apples and oranges,” and suddenly, they are stuck.
Parents often ask us: “Why is my child failing Math when they know the numbers?”
The answer is simple: Word problems are not Math problems. They are Reading Comprehension problems.
At FocusFirst Tutors, we teach a specific decoding strategy to help students translate English into Algebra. Here is how it works.
The Cognitive Overload
When a student reads a word problem, their brain has to do three things at once:
- Read the text.
- Filter the relevant information from the “fluff.”
- Translate the words into mathematical symbols.
For many students, especially those with ADHD or processing challenges, this causes “Cognitive Overload.” They freeze up.
The Solution: The C.U.B.E.S. Method
We teach a 5-step strategy called C.U.B.E.S. This gives students a physical action to take when they see a wall of text.
C – Circle the Numbers
First, find every number in the text and circle it. Do not worry about what it means yet. Just find the data.
- Example: “Circle 5 apples and 10 dollars.”
U – Underline the Question
What is the problem actually asking you to find? Underline the sentence that ends in a question mark.
- Example:Â “Underline:Â <u>How much does one apple cost?</u>”
B – Box the Keywords
Keywords tell you which operation (+, -, ×, ÷) to use. Box them.
- Sum, Total, Increase = Addition (+)
- Difference, Less Than, Left = Subtraction (-)
- Product, Times, Of = Multiplication (×)
- Split, Ratio, Quotient = Division (÷)
E – Eliminate Extra Information
Word problems are full of “fluff”—names, places, and colors that don’t matter. Cross them out.
- Example: “John went to the store on Tuesday wearing a red hat.” -> Cross it out. It doesn’t change the math.
S – Solve and Check
Now that you have stripped the problem down to just Numbers and Operations, write the equation and solve it.
Why “Translation” Matters
In Algebra, specific English words map directly to Math symbols. We train students to spot these:
| English Phrase | Math Symbol |
| “Is”, “Was”, “Will Be” | = (Equals) |
| “Of” | × (Multiply) |
| “Per”, “Each” | ÷ (Divide) |
| “A number” | x (Variable) |
Example:
“Five less than a number is ten.”
Translates directly to:
x−5=10x−5=10Stop the Struggle
If your child dreads math homework, it’s likely because they lack this translation skill. They don’t need more drills; they need a new strategy.
At FocusFirst Tutors, we specialize in Math Language Decoding. Whether it’s Common Core (USA), EQAO (Canada), or GCSE (UK), we turn wordy confusion into clear equations.
[Book a Free Math Assessment]
Let’s see if the problem is the Math or the Method. Book your free diagnostic today.