Here's why:
* The vowel "o" in "problem" is followed by a consonant "bl." This means the "o" makes a short sound, like the "o" in "hot" or "lot."
* If it had a long vowel sound, it would likely be spelled with a double "o" or an "e" at the end. For example, "pro-loom" or "pro-lem."
Let me know if you'd like to try another word!