Word problem solver that shows the equation first
Type the problem in words, exactly as it is written, and SolveStep turns it into algebra in front of you. You see the equation it built and what x stands for before a single step is taken, because translating the sentence is the hard part.
Part of SolveStep's free math solver, alongside dedicated tools for algebra, equations, and calculus.
The phrases that carry the math
A word problem is a sentence with an equation hiding inside it. Certain phrases do all the mathematical work: "times a number" is multiplication, "less than" is a subtraction written backwards, "the sum of" opens a bracket. SolveStep reads for exactly those phrases, assigns the unknown to x, and rebuilds the sentence as algebra.
It's deliberately a translator rather than a guesser: it tells you the equation it produced so you can check it against what you meant. If the translation is wrong, you'll see it immediately instead of finding out after you've written down an answer.
Everything runs in your browser. The sentences you type never leave your device.
Multiples
twice · double · triple · 7 times a number
"Five times a number is 45" becomes (5 · x) = 45. Spelled-out numbers are read as digits.
Sums & differences
the sum of · increased by · decreased by
"The sum of a number and 7 is 20" becomes (x + 7) = 20.
Reversed phrasing
7 less than a number · subtracted from
These read backwards from the way they are written: "7 less than a number" is x − 7, not 7 − x. It is the single most common place students drop a mark, so it is handled explicitly.
Rate, time and distance
distance = rate × time
"A train travels 60 miles per hour for 3 hours" becomes x = 60 × 3. Whichever of the three is missing is the one solved for.
Two-person ages
x + (x + 5) = 35
"John is 5 years older than Mary, and together their ages are 35" sets x to the younger person, so the older one is simply x plus the gap.
Consecutive integers
two · three · four consecutive integers
"The sum of three consecutive integers is 48" becomes x + (x + 1) + (x + 2) = 48. Consecutive even and odd integers step by 2 instead.
Two problems, sentence to answer
Reversed subtraction
Seven less than a number is 12- Name the unknown: let x be the number.
- Translate the phrase. "Seven less than a number" means you start at x and take 7 away, giving x − 7. The order is the reverse of the way it is read, which is exactly the trap.
- The verb "is" becomes the equals sign: x − 7 = 12.
- Add 7 to both sides to isolate x.
Consecutive integers
Three consecutive integers sum to 48- Let x be the first integer. The next two are then x + 1 and x + 2. One unknown, not three.
- Write the sum: x + (x + 1) + (x + 2) = 48.
- Combine like terms: 3x + 3 = 48.
- Subtract 3, then divide by 3 to get the first integer; the other two follow from it.
What this tool can and can't do
This translates sentences into equations. It is not a general reasoning engine, and it is worth knowing where the line falls before you rely on it in a test.
It handles single-unknown number sentences (multiples, sums, differences, "less than" phrasing), consecutive integers, rate–time–distance problems built on distance = rate × time, and two-person age problems where one person's age is given relative to the other's alongside a combined total.
It does not yet handle mixture and concentration problems, compound interest, work-rate problems where two people finish a job together, or anything needing more than one unknown at once. For those, set up the equation yourself, which is the skill being assessed anyway, then check your working in the equation solver or the system of equations solver.
Word problem solver FAQ
How does the word problem solver work?
It reads the sentence for the phrases that carry mathematical meaning, among them "times a number", "less than", "the sum of" and "increased by", then rebuilds them as algebra. The unknown becomes x, the sentence becomes an equation, and that equation is solved with the same step-by-step engine used everywhere else on the site.
Do I have to write numbers as digits?
No. "Five times a number is 45" and "5 times a number is 45" are treated identically. Spelled-out numbers from zero to ninety-nine are understood, including hyphenated ones like twenty-five.
Which kinds of word problems can it handle?
Single-unknown number sentences (sums, differences, multiples, halves and quotients, "less than" and "more than" phrasing), consecutive-integer problems including even and odd, rate, time and distance problems, and two-person age problems.
What can't it do yet?
Mixture and concentration problems, compound interest, work-rate problems, and anything needing more than one unknown at once. Rate–time–distance and two-person age problems are now supported. For the rest, work out the equation yourself and paste it into the equation solver.
Does it explain the translation, or just give an answer?
It shows the equation it produced and states what x was defined as before any solving happens. Seeing the translation is the part most students need, since turning the sentence into algebra is usually the hard step rather than the algebra itself.
Is the word problem solver free?
Yes. Free, no account, and no limit on how many problems you translate. Everything runs in your browser, so the sentences you type are never uploaded anywhere.