Why Math Word Problems are Important? 
Math word problems are regarded as the vital part in the Australian Mathematics curriculum as it enhances the student’s mental skill, develop logical analysis and boost creative thinking. 

Problem-solving is one of the basic skills that students must take along with them throughout their lives and use long after they have left school. Problem-solving involves a range of processes including analysing, interpreting, reasoning, predicting, evaluating, and reflecting. 

Below is a mathematics word problem that your child can complete. Please feel free to change the numbers on the target below. 

Lucy Likes Darts
Lucy throws darts at this target. She never misses the target. Her darts always score 1, 3, 5, 7.
She throws 2 darts. She adds the 2 numbers together. Her score is 8. 

• What could her numbers have been? Is there another way she could have scored? 
• After her third throw, her total score was 13. Where did her third dart hit? 
• Lucy throws a fourth dart. Explain why her total score is now even. 
• Lucy threw 17 darts for a total of 80. Explain why she must have made a mistake in her adding up.

Mr Green
Assistant Principal