Help with math word problems: turn the words into math, step by step

TutorAura · Updated 22 October 2026

Most students who struggle with word problems can do the math. What's hard is turning the words into the right calculation. A solver that just prints an answer doesn't fix that. TutorAura's AI tutor works through the problem with you: what do you know, what are you trying to find, which operation or equation connects them, and does the answer make sense?

It helps from grade 1 to grade 12, from "Sam has 5 apples" to rates, percentages, systems of equations and optimisation.

Key takeaways

Teaches a repeatable method: understand, plan, solve, check.
Helps you spot key information and ignore what doesn't matter.
Explains which operation or equation fits, and why.
Gives a similar problem so you can do the next one alone.

A method that works on any word problem

Understand. What's the question asking for? Say it in your own words.
List what you know. Numbers, units and relationships ("twice as many", "per hour").
Plan. Which operation, formula or equation connects what you know to what you want? Draw a picture or table if it helps.
Solve. Do the calculation carefully, keeping units.
Check. Is the answer reasonable? Does it answer the question that was asked?

The tutor asks you each question in turn rather than skipping to the answer. Our guide on how to solve math word problems explains the method in more detail.

Example: grade 3

A box holds 6 eggs. How many eggs are in 4 boxes?

The tutor asks: "What do you know?" (6 eggs in one box, 4 boxes) and "What are we finding?" (eggs altogether). Then: "Is this like adding the same amount again and again?" The child draws 4 boxes of 6 on the whiteboard, sees that's $6 + 6 + 6 + 6$ , and connects it to $4 \times 6 = 24$ .

Example: grade 8, setting up an equation

Tickets for a school play cost 5 dollars for students and 8 dollars for adults. 120 tickets were sold for a total of 750 dollars. How many student tickets were sold?

Let $s$ be student tickets and $a$ adult tickets.
Two facts, two equations: $s + a = 120$ and $5s + 8a = 750$ .
From the first, $a = 120 - s$ . Substitute: $5s + 8(120 - s) = 750$ , so $960 - 3s = 750$ and $s = 70$ .
Check: 70 student and 50 adult tickets give $350 + 400 = 750$ . Correct.

Most students get stuck at step 2. The tutor helps by asking: "What does the total number of tickets tell you? What does the total money tell you?"

Key words help, but don't rely on them

Lists of key words ("altogether means add", "left means subtract") can mislead. "Maya has 12 stickers, which is 4 more than Ben. How many does Ben have?" contains "more" but needs subtraction. The tutor teaches you to picture the situation instead: draw a bar for Maya and a shorter bar for Ben. This understanding transfers to harder problems where key words don't help at all.

Types of word problems it helps with

Grades	Examples
1 to 5	Adding and taking away, equal groups, sharing, money, time, measurement
6 to 8	Fractions and ratios, percentages, rates and speed, area and volume, simple equations
9 to 12	Linear and quadratic models, systems of equations, exponential growth, probability, optimisation

SAT Math includes many word problems; see SAT Math tips.

Why not just a solver?

An instant answer feels helpful, but the next problem on your test won't come with one. Working through the setup with guidance builds the skill you'll actually be tested on. You can still ask the tutor for a full worked example when you need to see the whole method, then try a similar problem yourself.

Frequently asked questions

Will it just solve my word problem?

It guides you through understanding, planning, solving and checking. You can ask for a worked example, then try a similar problem yourself.

What grades does it help with?

Grade 1 to 12, from simple addition stories to systems of equations and optimisation.

Can I write or draw my working?

Yes. Use the whiteboard to draw diagrams or write your working, and the tutor checks it.

How much does it cost?

There's a 3-day free trial with no card needed, then $15 a month for every subject.

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