Identifying Key Vocabulary in Subtraction Word Problems

The video tutorial explains the different contexts in which subtraction is used, such as taking away, comparing, and finding distances. It emphasizes the importance of identifying keywords in word problems to determine if subtraction is needed. The tutorial provides examples to illustrate how subtraction is applied in various scenarios, including comparison problems and multi-step operations. It also highlights the need to carefully analyze word problems to decide whether to add or subtract.

What are the three main reasons we use subtraction in word problems?

• To add, multiply, and divide

• To take away, compare, and find distance

• To compare, multiply, and divide

• To add, subtract, and find distance

In a comparison problem, if you know one person has more than another, what should you do?

• Always subtract

• Always add

• Think carefully about what the question is asking

• Ignore the problem

What keyword might indicate a subtraction problem when dealing with distances?

• Closer

• Farther

• Higher

• Lower

If Mary loses 6 pounds each month for three months, how do you calculate her new weight?

• Subtract 6 pounds from her original weight

• Add 18 pounds to her original weight

• Subtract 18 pounds from her original weight

• Add 6 pounds to her original weight

When solving a multi-step problem, what is important to remember?

• Carefully read and interpret the problem

• Only use subtraction

• Ignore the order of operations

• Only use addition

In a multi-step problem, if you first subtract and then add, what should you do?

• Subtract first, then add

• Add first, then subtract

• Ignore the subtraction

• Only subtract

What should you do if a problem involves both letting go and scooping up items?

• Only focus on the items let go

• Only focus on the items scooped up

• Consider both actions and perform the operations in order

• Ignore both actions