Practice Word Problems: Level 2 (ages 9 to 11)

The second edition of this book is out! Please look for the second edition (updated and improved)! This is the first edition. The second edition is also less expensive as the older edition is being phased out.

About "Competitive Mathematics for Gifted Students" This series provides practice materials and short theory reminders for students who aim to excel at problem solving. Material is introduced in a structured manner: each new concept is followed by a problem set that explores the content in detail. Each book ends with a problem set that reviews both concepts presented in the current volume and related topics from previous volumes. The series forms a learning continuum that explores strategies specific to competitive mathematics in depth and breadth. Full solutions explain both reasoning and execution. Often, several solutions are contrasted. The problem selection emphasizes comprehension, critical thinking, observation, and avoiding repetitive and mechanical procedures. Ready to participate in a math competition such as MOEMS, Math Kangaroo in USA, or Noetic Math? This series will open the doors to consistent performance.

About Level 2 This level of the series is designed for students who know the multiplication tables, integer division with remainder and basic operations with decimals. Our level 1 books explain concepts that may need review before attempting level 2. Level 2 books are suitable for preparing Math Kangaroo 3-4 and MOEMS-E. Many of the concepts presented, however, reach much farther into the AMC-8 level. Level 2 consists of: Word Problems (volume 5), Operations (volume 6), Arithmetic (volume 7), and Combinatorics (volume 8).

About Volume 5 - Word Problems The problems train comprehension and critical reading skills. Algebraic methods should not be used when helping students solve these problems. We recommend building concrete models that show the relations among the various quantities. This volume explains how to build concrete models for comparison, the method of reduction to unity, handling problems based on multiples and remainders. A review of problems based on time, rates, and coins concludes the presentation of word problems. Problems avoid the repetition of the same context, thus providing a challenging solving experience.

The 2nd edition (2014) of this workbook is now available. More helpful diagrams have been added, solutions have been updated, and errors that slipped into the 1st edition have been fixed. Look for the 2nd edition!