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📊 Modeling Problems with Diagrams and Equations

Turn tricky word problems into clear pictures and neat equations! Draw bar models to see the parts and whole, write the matching number sentence, and solve missing-number problems with confidence.

lessons

~20 min

to learn

🔢 Math

subject

Ages 6–12

level

Start the course →

What you’ll learn

Draw the ProblemUse bar models to show parts and wholes and find a missing part.A bar model splits a whole into parts, so you can see the structure of a problem. The parts always add to the whole, so knowing the whole and one part lets you find the other by subtracting: 23 − 15 = 8, checked by 15 + 8 = 23.
Write the EquationTurn bar models into addition and subtraction equations and solve missing-number boxes.Every bar model becomes an equation: parts joining give 15 + 8 = 23, and the whole minus a part gives 23 − 15 = 8. Missing-number boxes like 6 + □ = 10 balance like a scale, so the box is 10 − 6 = 4.
Model and SolveFollow a modeling routine and solve multi-step problems with diagrams.The modeling routine is read, draw a bar model, write the equation, then solve and check. It handles two-step problems too: Sam's stickers go 20 − 8 = 12, then 12 + 5 = 17. Drawing the math makes each step clear.

Questions this course answers

A bar shows a whole of 23 made of 15 and a missing part. What is the missing part?

The missing part is the whole minus the known part: 23 − 15 = 8.

The bar model with parts 15 and 8 making 23 can be written as...

The two parts add to the whole: 15 + 8 = 23.

What is the FIRST thing to do when modeling a problem?

You must read and picture the problem before you can model or solve it.

Grounded in trusted sources

NRICH — University of Cambridge
Khan Academy Kids
Britannica Kids
PBS Kids — early math

Every Wunder lesson is built from real, reputable sources — never invented.

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Wunder is a personalized learn-anything platform — tell it any topic and it builds a beautiful, fact-checked course in minutes, with narration, a knowledge check, and a college-style University track.

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