What does problem mean?
Word: Problem
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Problem means something that is hard to deal with or hard to work out. In maths it is a question you must solve.
How do you spell problem?
Syllables: prob - lem
Tricky part: The weak vowel near the end is easy to get wrong. It sounds like a soft uh, so children write problam or problum.
Watch out for: problam, problum
Memory tip: A problem needs a way out, so picture an Exit sign: e is the weak vowel near the end.
Idioms and Phrases
- no problem: used to say that something is easy to do or that you are happy to help. Example: ""Can you carry this bag?" "No problem.""
Problem in a sentence
Example 1: There is a problem with my bicycle chain.
Example 2: Can you help me with this maths problem?
Example 3: The heavy traffic was a big problem on Monday morning.
Fun Fact
Problem comes from a Greek word for something put forward, as a question or a task is put before you.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:
pr_b_em
a) u, l
b) a, l
c) o, l
d) o, r
Show answer
c) o, l. You hear the o of hot in the opening gap, and the second gap takes the l that follows the b.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) exercize
b) calculate
c) mistake
d) problem
Show answer
a) exercize. Exercise ends in ise, never in ize.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word:
problem
a) reason
b) success
c) lesson
d) difficulty
Show answer
d) difficulty. A difficulty is something that is not easy to get past.
Mingle-Mangle
Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:
lbmorpe
a) problem
b) prbolem
c) prolbem
d) porblem
Show answer
a) problem. Sound out each one; a single order is a word from your maths book.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. What would be a problem for a cyclist?
a) a fresh breeze on a warm day
b) a flat tyre on a long road
c) a bright and sunny morning
d) a smooth road through the hills
Show answer
b) a flat tyre on a long road
2. Which of these is a maths problem?
a) Draw 3 friends on a bench.
b) Share 12 sweets among 3 friends.
c) Sing the song 3 times.
d) Copy this list of 12 names.
Show answer
b) Share 12 sweets among 3 friends.
