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Identifying
Relevant Information

Learn to separate what matters from what doesn't in word problems, so you can plan a clear solution path every time.

SSAT Middle Level Quantitative

What Is Relevant Information?

Every word problem gives you a mix of numbers, facts, and context. Some of those details are essential to solving the problem: those are relevant. Others are just background noise: those are irrelevant.

Why Does It Matter?

✕ Without This Skill
You use the wrong numbers, pick the wrong operation, or get overwhelmed by extra details.
✓ With This Skill
You quickly zero in on what you need, choose the right operation, and solve confidently.

The Information Filter

Word Problem Numbers Key Facts The Question Names Background Extra details FILTER What does the question ask? Relevant Needed numbers Key relationships Right operation Discarded

Read the question first, then filter the problem for only the information that connects to what you need to find.

The R.I.P. Rule

R
Read the question first. Know what you are solving for before reading the full problem.
I
Identify the useful facts. Underline or circle only the numbers and relationships that connect to the question.
P
Plan your path. Decide which operation(s) to use before you calculate.

Connecting Information to Operations

What am I finding? Relevant Information Add / Subtract "total," "how many more" Multiply "each," "per," "times" Divide "split," "shared" Multi-Step "then," "after that" Signal words tell you which operation matches the relevant facts.

Relevant vs. Irrelevant

Relevant Irrelevant
Purpose Needed to solve Just adds context
Examples Prices, quantities, rates Names, dates, colors
What to do Underline it Ignore it
Clue Directly ties to the question Cannot be used in any calculation

Step-by-Step Strategy

1
Read the question at the end. Skip straight to "What is ___?" to know your target.
2
Re-read the full problem. This time, underline every number and key fact that connects to the question.
3
Cross out distractors. Any detail that does not connect to what you need: ignore it.
4
Choose your operation. Use signal words to pick add, subtract, multiply, or divide.
5
Solve and check. Does the answer make sense given the question?

Example 1: The Book Fair

3 books
\( \times \)
 $5 each
\( = \)
 $15 Saturday, blue, $2 bookmark (irrelevant: not about books)

The question asks about books only, so the bookmark's price is irrelevant. \( 3 \times \$5 = \$15 \).

Example 2: The Soccer Team

R
Read: "How many players in each group?"
I
Identify: \( 18 \) players total, \( 3 \) groups. The balls and nets are about equipment, not players.
P
Plan: "Split" means divide: \( 18 \) \( \div \) \( 3 \) \( = \) \( 6 \) players per group.

Example 3: The Bake Sale

Step 1: Divide
\( 24 \div 6 = 4 \) boxes
\( \rightarrow \)
 Step 2: Multiply
\( 4 \times \$8 = \$32 \)
\( = \)
 $32 Irrelevant: "Friday," 18 cookies, $1 each

This is a multi-step problem. The cookies and the day are distractors: the question asks about cupcake money only.

Signal Words Cheat Sheet

\(+\) Addition
total, altogether, combined, sum, in all, both
\(-\) Subtraction
difference, how many more, fewer, left over, remain
\(\times\) Multiplication
each, per, every, times, of, groups of
\(\div\) Division
split, shared equally, per each, divided among

Common Mistakes

✕ Using Every Number
Not all numbers in the problem belong in your calculation. Some are there to distract you.
✕ Skipping the Question
If you start computing before knowing what you are solving for, you may solve for the wrong thing.
✕ Wrong Operation
Ignoring signal words and guessing the operation leads to answers that look right but are not.

Multi-Step Problems

Some SSAT problems require two or more operations. The key is to plan each step before calculating. Each step uses only its own relevant information.

Step 1 Use Facts A & B Step 2 Use Result + Fact C Answer Final result Each step uses only the information it needs.

Quick Reference Summary

Step Action Ask Yourself
1. Read Find the question What am I solving for?
2. Identify Underline key facts Does this fact help me answer?
3. Discard Cross out extras Can I use this in a calculation?
4. Plan Pick the operation What signal words do I see?
5. Solve Calculate carefully Does my answer make sense?

Question 1 of 5

Tom has 12 red marbles, 8 blue marbles, and 5 green marbles. His friend gave him 6 more red marbles. How many red marbles does Tom have now?

Question 2 of 5

A store sells pencils for \( \$0.50 \) each and erasers for \( \$0.25 \) each. Jenna bought 10 pencils and 4 erasers. She paid with a \( \$10 \) bill. How much did Jenna spend in total?

Question 3 of 5

A class of 30 students is going on a field trip. The bus holds 45 passengers. Each student brings \( \$3 \) for lunch. The trip costs \( \$2 \) per student. How much does the class collect for the trip cost?

Question 4 of 5

A farmer has 48 apples. He packs them into bags of 8. He also has 36 oranges packed into bags of 6. How many more bags of oranges than bags of apples does he have?

Question 5 of 5

Lisa ran \( 3 \) miles on Monday, \( 4 \) miles on Wednesday, and \( 5 \) miles on Friday. Her running shoes cost \( \$60 \). What is the total distance Lisa ran during the week?