Grade 4 - Word Problems - Solving Word Problems with Bar Modeling 3

When solving this word problem, we can use bar modeling to visualize the problem, which helps break down and simplify the steps needed to find the solution. In this case, the bar model allows us to represent the total amount of money Olivia had, how much she spent, and how much she had left. By dividing the bar into sections that represent the cost of peanuts and then adding the leftover amount, we can easily calculate the total amount she started with.

An alternative method is working backward, which involves identifying the missing piece and then performing the necessary operations to find the total. This approach is more abstract and efficient but can be more challenging for students without the visual aid of a bar model. The bar model thus serves as a transitional tool, helping students move from concrete visualizations to more abstract problem-solving methods.