But word problems can also be used in the opposite direction, to see if students can apply their understanding of equations they’ve learned to real-world situations, McNeil said.

"Word problems are complex because they require translating words into mathematical equations, and this involves integrating the science of reading and math through language concepts and ...

Prealgebra students learned about functions in a unit that emphasized (a) representing problems in multiple formats, (b) anchoring learning in a meaningful thematic context, and (c) problem-solving ...