What kinds of word problems can I enter?

You can enter common arithmetic, algebra, geometry, statistics, and introductory calculus word problems. Include the complete wording, units, and every condition.

Does the solver show how it builds the equation?

The solver is designed to identify known and unknown quantities, translate their relationship into math, and explain the proposed steps. Because the response is AI-generated, verify important work.

Can I upload a photo of a word problem?

Yes. Use a clear, well-cropped image where the full question, numbers, units, diagrams, and answer choices are readable.

How do I get a better solution for a multi-part problem?

Include every part, label them clearly, and ask the solver to define variables, keep units visible, and check each result against the original wording.

Purpose-built word problem calculator

Word Problem Solver

Paste a math story problem or upload a clear photo. The solver identifies what is known, defines the unknown, builds the math, and explains a step-by-step solution with units and a final check.

Text or image inputEquation setup explainedNo sign-up required

Solve a word problem now

word problem solver

story → equation → answer

Rate, distance, and time

Ratios and percentages

Mixtures and work rates

word problem solver

Solve your math word problem

Enter the complete wording, including every number, unit, condition, and question. Clear context helps the AI choose variables and build the right relationship before solving.

Text inputImage upload

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Example

Word problems with complete solutions

See how each story becomes an equation, then solve it and check the answer.

Example 1

A train travels at 60 mph. A second train leaves the same station two hours later at 90 mph. How long after it leaves will the second train catch the first?

A rate-distance-time problem that requires aligning the two travel times before setting distances equal.

Let t be the number of hours after the second train leaves. The first train travels for t + 2 hours.
60(t + 2) = 90t
60t + 120 = 90t → 120 = 30t → t = 4

Answer: The second train catches the first 4 hours after it leaves.

Check: 60 × (4 + 2) = 90 × 4 = 360 mi

Example 2

A 20-liter mixture is 30% salt. How much water must be added to make it 20% salt?

A mixture problem where the amount of salt stays fixed while the total volume changes.

Let x be the liters of water added. Water adds volume but no salt.
20 × 0.30 = (20 + x) × 0.20
6 = 4 + 0.20x → 2 = 0.20x → x = 10

Answer: Add 10 liters of water.

Check: 20 × 30% = 6; 6 / (20 + 10) = 20%

Example 3

The length of a rectangle is 4 cm more than its width, and its area is 96 cm². Find both dimensions.

A geometry word problem that becomes a quadratic equation and requires positive dimensions.

Let w be the width in centimeters. The length is w + 4; both dimensions must be positive.
w(w + 4) = 96 → w² + 4w − 96 = 0
(w + 12)(w − 8) = 0 → w = −12 (< 0) ∨ w = 8 (> 0)
w = 8; w + 4 = 12

Answer: Width: 8 cm; length: 12 cm.

Check: 12 − 8 = 4 cm; 8 × 12 = 96 cm²

word problem solver

Word problem types this solver can help with

Choose a familiar problem type, then enter the full question with its numbers and units.

Rate, distance, and time

Set up travel, catch-up, average-speed, and related-rate stories using consistent units.

Ratios and percentages

Work through proportions, discounts, tax, tips, percent change, and part-to-whole questions.

Mixtures and work rates

Model concentration, combined work, pipes, and jobs where several rates act together.

Age and number problems

Define present values, translate comparisons, and keep past or future conditions aligned.

Geometry and measurement

Turn written dimensions into perimeter, area, volume, angle, or unit-conversion calculations.

Statistics and applied math

Reason through averages, probability, data questions, optimization, and other applied scenarios.

Step

How a word problem becomes a solution

The important work happens before the arithmetic: identify the question, preserve the facts, and translate the relationships correctly.

1
Find the unknown
? = x
Read the final question first and define exactly what the answer must represent.
2
Extract facts and units
1, 2, 3
List the given values, relationships, constraints, and units without dropping context.
3
Build the math model
→ x, y, =, ≤
Translate phrases into variables, equations, inequalities, formulas, or diagrams.
4
Solve and verify
✓
Work through the model, answer in context, and test the result against the original conditions.

Tip: paste the exact wording. For a multi-part question, label each part and ask the solver to keep units visible throughout.

word problem solver

Common word problem relationships

These are useful starting points, not automatic replacements for reading the full question.

Travel

distance = rate × time

Use matching distance and time units before comparing two travelers.

Percentage

part = percent × whole

Convert the percent to a decimal and identify which value is the whole.

Mixture

amount × concentration

Track the amount of the target substance before and after mixing.

Combined work

1/T = 1/a + 1/b

Add work rates rather than adding the times needed to finish the job.

Common mistakes to watch for

Most word-problem errors begin in the translation, so check the setup before trusting the arithmetic.

Answering the wrong question

A correct intermediate value is not the final answer unless it matches what the problem asks for.

Mixing units

Convert minutes and hours, centimeters and meters, or percentages and decimals before calculating.

Keeping an impossible result

Reject negative time, invalid dimensions, or answers that fail the original conditions.