Key Words in Word Problems
Learn to spot key words that tell you which operation to use.
🎯 What You'll Learn
You will learn specific key words and phrases that signal which math operation to use in a word problem.
🏪 Market Story
Mrs. Okafor teaches her class a trick: "Look for special words in the problem. These words are clues that tell you what to do!" She writes clue words on the board for each operation.
📝 Let's Learn
Addition clue words: total, altogether, in all, combined, sum, both, and, plus, more than (when joining), how many together.
Subtraction clue words: left, remain, change, difference, how much more, how much less, fewer, take away, spent.
Multiplication clue words: each, every, per, times, groups of, rows of, twice, triple.
Division clue words: share, divide, split, each gets, per person, equal parts, half, one-third.
Example 1: "What is the total cost?" → Addition.
Example 2: "How much change does he get?" → Subtraction.
Example 3: "She buys 3 bags at ₦20 each." → Multiplication.
Example 4: "They share ₦100 equally." → Division.
Warning: Key words are helpful hints, but always think about what the problem is really asking. Sometimes "more" can mean subtraction (how much more = difference)!
✏️ Practice Questions
- "Bola has 15 sweets and gives away 6. How many does she have left?" What operation? Solve it.
- "Chidi buys 7 mangoes at ₦8 each." What operation? Solve it.
- "Amina and Funke have 23 and 31 beads. How many do they have altogether?" What operation? Solve it.
Click to see answers
- "Left" = subtraction. 15 − 6 = 9 sweets.
- "Each" = multiplication. 7 × ₦8 = ₦56.
- "Altogether" = addition. 23 + 31 = 54 beads.
💡 Remember
Key words are clues, not rules. Always read the whole problem and think about what makes sense. With practice, you'll know the right operation instantly!