Steps to Solve Word Problems

Solving Word Problems

Understanding which operation to use

Addition and Subtraction

Keywords

• Keywords are one way to solve problems.

• We can look for keywords to help us find the operation

• However, it is important to understand what the problem is asking because keywords are not always there or could mislead us to use the incorrect operation

Addition

Understanding what you need to do

*Combining two or more amounts

*Finding the total amount of separate amounts of something 

Subtraction

Understanding what to do

*Finding the difference between two amounts 

*Finding how much more or how much less 

*Finding how much farther *Determining the amount spent, used, or eaten when taking one amount from another 

Addition or Subtraction?

The next problems use the word total, but you need to figure out which is addition and subtraction.

Multiple Choice

A company employs 50 on-site workers and 30 off-site workers. How many employees in total work for the company?

• Addition

• Subtraction

Fill in the Blank

A company employs 50 on-site workers and 30 off-site workers. How many employees in total work for the company?

Multiple Choice

Joanna wants a blouse that costs $50. She has a coupon for $10 off the price. Determine the total of the shirt after the coupon

• Addition

• Subtraction

Fill in the Blank

Joanna wants a blouse that costs $50. She has a coupon for $10 off the price. Determine the total of the shirt after the coupon

Multiple Choice

There were 20 kids on the playground. 5 kids went home. How many kids are on the playground in total?

• Addition

• Subtraction

Fill in the Blank

There were 20 kids on the playground. 5 kids went home. How many kids are on the playground in total?

Multiple Choice

There were 25 kids on the playground. 10 more kids came onto the playground. How many kids are on the playground in total?

• Addition

• Subtraction

Fill in the Blank

There were 25 kids on the playground. 10 more kids came onto the playground. How many kids are on the playground in total?

Addition or Subtraction?

The next few problems might have a keyword or might not.

Multiple Choice

18 apples were on the table. I ate some apples. Then there were 10 apples. How many apples did I eat?

• Addition

• Subtraction

Fill in the Blank

18 apples were on the table. I ate some apples. Then there were 10 apples. How many apples did I eat?

Multiple Choice

14 red apples are on the table. 7 are red and the rest are green. How many apples are on the table?

• Addition

• Subtraction

Fill in the Blank

14 red apples are on the table. 7 are red and the rest are green. How many apples are on the table?

Multiple Choice

Sandy picked 5 limes and Tom picked 6 limes from the lime tree. How many total limes were picked?

• Addition

• Subtraction

Fill in the Blank

Sandy picked 5 limes and Tom picked 6 limes from the lime tree. How many total limes were picked?

Multiple Choice

Lucy has 19 fewer apples than Julie. Lucy has 36 apples. How many apples does Julie have?

• Addition

• Subtraction

Fill in the Blank

Lucy has 19 fewer apples than Julie. Lucy has 36 apples. How many apples does Julie have?

Multiple Choice

Mike had baseball cards. He handed 5 to his mom. He handed 7 baseball cards to his dad. How many total baseball cards did he hand out?

• Addition

• Subtraction

Fill in the Blank

Mike had baseball cards. He handed 5 to his mom. He handed 7 baseball cards to his dad. How many total baseball cards did he hand out?

Multiple Choice

Keith decided to give away his old books. He gathered up 22 books, but only gave away 14 books. How many books are left?

• Addition

• Subtraction

Fill in the Blank

Keith decided to give away his old books. He gathered up 22 books, but only gave away 14 books. How many books are left?

Multiple Choice

The Wildcats played the Bulldogs in a football game. The Wildcats scored 42 points. The Bulldogs scored 28 points. How many points did the Wildcats win by?

• Addition

• Subtraction

Fill in the Blank

The Wildcats played the Bulldogs in a football game. The Wildcats scored 42 points. The Bulldogs scored 28 points. How many points did the Wildcats win by?

Multiple Choice

Ginny loves to collect stamps. She has 454 stamps in a stamp book and 336 more stamps in a box. How many stamps does she have in all?

• Addition

• subtraction

Fill in the Blank

Ginny loves to collect stamps. She has 454 stamps in a stamp book and 336 more stamps in a box. How many stamps does she have in all?