Word Problems
Multi-step word problems: distance-rate-time, mixture, work-rate, age, and signal words.
This page is a free outline of what the Word Problems lesson covers — it is not the lesson itself. The interactive lesson, practice, quizzes, and AI Tutor are inside the app.
This lesson covers
- Age Problems An age problem relates people’s ages now to their ages in the past or future — name one age as a variable, write the others in terms of it, and solve (e.g. “Sam is twice as old as Kim”).
- Consecutive Integer Problems Consecutive integers are whole numbers in a row (n, n+1, n+2); consecutive even or odd integers step by 2 (n, n+2, n+4). Write them with one variable and solve.
- Distance, Rate, and Time Problems These use D = R × T (distance = rate × time). Know any two and you can find the third — for example, 60 mph for 2.5 hours covers 150 miles.
- Mathematical Signal Words
- Mixture Problems A mixture problem blends two ingredients at different concentrations or prices to hit a target: (amount₁ × value₁) + (amount₂ × value₂) = total × target value.
- Percent – Increase and Decrease
- Percent – Word Problems Percent questions in sentence form — find the part, the whole, and the percent.
- Translating Words into Equations Turning a word problem’s sentences into an equation — “a number times 12, minus 20, is 100” becomes 12h − 20 = 100 — so you can solve for the unknown.
- Two-Variable Word Problems A word problem with two unknowns, captured as equations in x and y (often a system) instead of a single-variable equation.
- Word Problems – Linear Equations A word problem that translates into a single linear equation — a constant-rate situation you set up and solve for one unknown.
- Word Problems – Multi-Step A word problem that takes several operations or stages to reach the answer, so you break it into ordered steps rather than solving in one move.
- Work-Rate Problems Work-rate problems add rates, not times: someone who finishes a job in 4 hours works at 1/4 per hour, so combined rates give the time working together.
Linked concepts (purple →) have a full explanation. Hover or tap a dotted ⓘ concept for a quick definition.
Inside the app, Word Problems comes with:
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24/7 AI Tutor — Ask anything and get a step-by-step explanation when you’re stuck — it teaches the concept, not just the answer. Every answer verified by three independent AIs.
- Practice sets — Open-book practice questions at your level, easiest-first — as many as you want, never scored.
- Quizzes — Scored quizzes on the whole lesson, so you know when you’re ready to move on.
- Skills Check — A concept-by-concept map of what you’ve mastered and what to focus on next.
- Worked examples — Tap the Brain Button on any example for alternative step-by-step explanations.
- Glossary — Plain-English definitions of every key term in the lesson.
- Formula sheet — The GED® & HiSET® formula sheets, on screen while you practice.
- Practice calculator — An on-screen calculator to build your calculator skills before test day.
- Math-fact flashcards — Quick drills for addition, multiplication, perfect squares, and square roots.
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