Word problem (mathematics education)

Not to be confused with word problem (mathematics), the problem of deciding whether two given expressions are equivalent in rewriting.
Not to be confused with an essay question, another type of exam question that also requires word use.
Word problem from the Līlāvatī (12th century), with its English translation and solution

In science education, a word problem is a mathematical exercise (such as in a textbook, worksheet, or exam) where significant background information on the problem is presented in ordinary language rather than in mathematical notation. As most word problems involve a narrative of some sort, they are sometimes referred to as story problems and may vary in the amount of technical language used.