Free Math Word Problem Solver
Stuck on a word problem? Paste the question exactly as written, or photograph the textbook page. The AI reads the sentences, picks out the unknowns, sets up the equation and solves it — with every step explained.
💡 You can also paste an image with Ctrl+V or drag a file here.
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A worked age problem — translating sentences into an equation
Below is one fully worked example plus a short primer so you can see exactly how our AI reasons through a problem.
Example Problem
DEMOA father is 4 times as old as his son. In 20 years, he will be twice as old as his son. Find their present ages.
- 1
Name the unknowns
Let the son's present age be x years. Then the father's present age is 4x years.
- 2
Translate 'in 20 years' into expressions
In 20 years: son = x + 20, father = 4x + 20.
- 3
Translate 'twice as old' into an equation
The father (in 20 years) equals 2 times the son (in 20 years).
- 4
Solve the equation
Expand, collect x terms on one side, divide both sides by 2.
- 5
Write the answer in context
Son = 10 years, Father = 40 years. Check: in 20 years, son = 30, father = 60, and 60 = 2 × 30 ✓.
Final Answer
How to read a word problem — the 4 families that cover 80%
Word problems are where most students first hit a wall — not because the algebra is hard, but because translating English into equations takes practice. The good news is that every word problem follows one of a small number of templates, and once you recognise the template, the setup almost writes itself.
The four families that cover ~80% of school word problems are: (1) Age problems — 'X years ago' shifts an age backwards, 'in Y years' shifts it forwards; you nearly always have two people with a given ratio now or in the past. (2) Distance-speed-time — distance = speed × time; the common traps are trains meeting each other (add speeds), chasing each other (subtract speeds), and stream/boat problems (add/subtract the stream speed). (3) Work problems — if A does a job in a hours, A's rate is 1/a per hour; two workers together have rates that add up. (4) Mixture and percentage problems — concentration × volume = amount of solute; profit/loss percentages apply to cost price, not selling price.
The fifth, harder family is geometric word problems — the question describes a shape in words and you have to draw it first, label the unknowns, and then apply the right formula. Start by reading the problem twice. On the first read just get the story; on the second, underline every number and what it means.
The solver above walks through all of this. Paste the problem as-is, and it labels the unknowns, writes the equation in the same order as the sentences, and solves. Most usefully, it explains why each step follows — so you learn the translation pattern, not just the answer.
Word problems to practise (Class 6 to 10)
Tap any problem to solve it with full step-by-step working.
- Solve with AI →
1. The sum of two consecutive integers is 47. Find the two integers.
IntegersClass 6–7Easy - Solve with AI →
2. A shopkeeper marks his goods 30% above cost and allows a 10% discount. Find his profit percentage.
Profit & lossClass 8Medium - Solve with AI →
3. Two trains start at the same time from stations 350 km apart and travel towards each other at 50 km/h and 60 km/h. When will they meet?
Distance-speed-timeClass 8–9Medium - Solve with AI →
4. A and B can finish a job in 12 days. B alone can finish it in 20 days. How long will A take alone?
WorkClass 8–9Medium - Solve with AI →
5. How many litres of 30% acid solution must be added to 40 litres of 60% acid solution to obtain a 50% acid solution?
MixtureClass 9–10Hard
Frequently asked questions
How do I solve math word problems step by step?+
Read the problem twice. Underline every number and label the unknowns with letters. Translate each sentence into an equation using the numbers and labels — 'twice as old' becomes ×2, 'three more than' becomes +3, 'together' becomes +. Solve the equation, then write the answer back in the problem's language (rupees, hours, km/h — not just x).
What types of word problems can the solver handle?+
Age problems, distance-speed-time (including trains, boats, streams), work and time, mixtures and percentages, profit and loss, simple and compound interest, ratio and proportion, and geometric word problems. Both arithmetic (Class 6–8) and algebraic (Class 9+) variants.
Can I paste a word problem from my textbook or take a photo?+
Both. Paste the sentences directly, or tap Image or PDF to upload a photo of the textbook page. The AI reads printed or handwritten text and handles the problem the same way either way.
How does the AI translate English into equations?+
It spots the unknowns (what the problem is asking for), labels them with variables, and maps English phrases to math — 'is' → =, 'of' → ×, 'more than' → +, 'less than' → −, 'product' → ×, 'quotient' → ÷, 'per' → fraction — then assembles the equation in the same order as the sentences. The solver shows this mapping so you can learn the pattern.
Does this work for CBSE Class 6, 7, 8 word problems?+
Yes — Class 6 to 12 are all covered. Class 6–8 focuses on arithmetic word problems (integers, fractions, percentages), while Class 9+ moves to algebraic word problems (linear equations, quadratic setups, ratio and proportion).
My word problem has more than one unknown — can the solver handle that?+
Yes. When there are two unknowns, the problem must give two independent conditions — the AI sets up a system of two equations in two variables and solves by substitution or elimination. Three unknowns need three conditions, and so on. Pure word setups up to 4 variables work well.
Why do I keep getting the arithmetic right but the setup wrong?+
That's the most common issue and it's a reading problem, not a maths problem. Fix: (1) read the question twice before picking up a pen, (2) label your unknowns explicitly before writing any equation, and (3) write each sentence of the problem as one line of algebra, in order. The solver follows this exact discipline — you can copy the style.
How is this different from a calculator?+
A calculator does arithmetic once you've set up the equation. Word problems are mostly about setting up the equation — that's where the AI helps. The solver reads the sentences, builds the equation, AND does the arithmetic, so you can learn by watching the translation.
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Related topics to master next
These pair naturally with word-problem setup — each unlocks a family of translations.
Algebra Solver
Most word problems reduce to an algebraic equation — solve it here.
Open solver →
Linear Equations Solver
The most common endpoint for Class 6–8 word problems.
Open solver →
Equation Solver (any type)
Generic solver — good fallback if the word problem leads to a quadratic or system.
Open solver →
Fraction Solver
Useful for Class 6–8 ratio and proportion word problems.
Open solver →