GMAT word problems strategies
GMAT word problems test your ability to translate a sentence into an equation and solve for the right quantity. These strategies cover defining variables before you set up, the trap of solving for the wrong target, and a worked example you can follow step by step.
The core principle
Define your variables before you set up the equation, and write down what the question asks for before you solve. Most word problem errors happen in the translation, not the arithmetic. If the problem says 'the length is 3 more than twice the width,' you write before you do anything else. The variable you define and the quantity the question asks for are often different, and the GMAT builds answer choices around that gap.
The translation dictionary
Certain phrases map directly to operations. 'Is' means equals. 'Of' means multiply (for percents and fractions). 'More than' means addition. 'Less than' means subtraction, but the order reverses: '5 less than ' is , not . 'Product' means multiply. 'Sum' means add. 'Per' means divide (miles per hour is miles divided by hours). 'Twice' means multiply by 2. 'Half' means multiply by one-half. Memorizing these translations makes setup automatic and eliminates the back-and-forth that costs time.
The most common trap
Solving for the wrong variable
The question asks for the value of \(x + 5\). You define \(x\), set up the equation, solve for \(x\), and select the answer that equals \(x\). But the question wanted \(x + 5\). The answer choices include both \(x\) and \(x + 5\) because the test writers know this mistake. Before you select an answer, re-read the question and confirm the value you computed matches what it asked for, not the variable you defined. Underline the target quantity the moment you read the question.
Step-by-step strategy
When to use: any question that describes a scenario in words and asks for a quantity.
- 1Read the question to the end first. Underline what it asks for before you define anything.
- 2Define variables for every unknown, and note which one maps to the target quantity.
- 3Translate sentence by sentence using the dictionary. Write one equation per relationship.
- 4Solve, then convert your variable to the target quantity. Verify the answer matches what was asked.
When not to use: when backsolving from the answer choices is faster (usually when the numbers are clean and the setup is complex).
Worked example
A store sells pens for $3 each and notebooks for $5 each. A customer buys a total of 12 items and spends $44. How many notebooks did the customer buy? Step 1: Read to the end. The question asks for the number of notebooks. That is the target. Step 2: Define variables. Let be the number of pens and be the number of notebooks. The target is . Step 3: Translate. The total items: . The total cost: . Step 4: Solve. From the first equation, . Substitute into the second: . Expand: . Simplify: . So , and . The customer bought 4 notebooks. Verify: 4 notebooks at $5 is $20, 8 pens at $3 is $24, total $44. The answer is 4.
Related pages
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