A word problem is a few sentences describing a 'real-life' scenario where a problem needs

to be solved by way of a mathematical calculation.

Word problems are seen as a crucial part of learning in the primary curriculum, because they
require children to apply their knowledge of various different concepts to 'real-life' scenarios. 

Word problems also help children to familiarise themselves with mathematical

language (vocabulary like fewer, altogether, difference, more, share, multiply, subtract, equal,
reduced, etc.).
Teachers tend to try and include word problems in their maths lessons at least twice a week.

In the classroom children might be taught the acronym RUCSAC (Read, Understand, Choose,
Solve, Answer, Check) to help them complete word problems.
By following the acronym step by step children learn to apply a structured, analytical strategy to
their calculations. They will need to understand what the problem is asking them to find out by
reading the question carefully, choosing the correct mathematical operation to help them solve
the query and finally checking their answer by using the inverse operation.
ear 4
Children should feel confident in an efficient written method for each operation at this stage.
They will continue to be given a variety of problems and have to work out which operation and
method is appropriate for each. They will also be given two-step problems. 

I have 98 marbles. I share them equally between 6 friends. How many marbles does each friend
get? How many marbles are left over?
Year 5
Children will continue to do one-step and two-step problems. They will start to carry out
problem-solving involving decimals. 
My chest of drawers is 80cm wide and my table is 1.3m wide. How much wall space do they take
up when put side by side?
There are 24 floors of a car park. Each floor has room for 45 cars. How many cars can the car
park fit altogether?

Year 6
In Year 6 children solve 'multi-step problems' and problems involving fractions, decimals
and percentages. 
Sarah sees the same jumper in two different sales:
In the first sale, the original price of the jumper is £36.15, but has been reduced by a third.
In the second sale, the jumper was priced at £45, but now has 40% off.
How much does each jumper cost and which one is the cheapest?
In the past, calculators were sometimes used for solving two-step problems like the one above,
but the new curriculum does not include the use of calculators at any time during primary school.

A word problem is a few sentences describing a 'real-life' scenario where a problem needs
to be solved by way of a mathematical calculation.
Word or story problems are seen as a crucial part of learning in the primary curriculum, because
they require children to apply their knowledge of various different concepts to 'real-life'
scenarios. This is why teachers try to include word problems in their maths lessons as often as
possible.
Word problems also help children to familiarise themselves with mathematical language and
terms such as: fewer, altogether, difference, more, share, multiply, subtract, equal, reduced, etc.