Word Problems with Addition and Subtraction
Grade 2 · Math · Study Guide
Learn strategies to read, understand, and solve math word problems using addition and subtraction.
Word problems are math stories! They tell you a situation and ask you to figure out a number. The first step is always to read carefully and figure out what the problem is asking. Look for clue words that tell you which operation to use.
Addition clue words include: in all, total, altogether, both, sum, more, and added. For example: 'Ana has 14 stickers. She gets 8 more. How many does she have in all?' You add: 14 + 8 = 22.
Subtraction clue words include: left, fewer, less, difference, take away, and how many more. For example: 'Ben had 25 grapes. He ate 9. How many are left?' You subtract: 25 - 9 = 16. Always check your work by re-reading the question to make sure your answer makes sense!
| Operation | Clue words |
|---|---|
| Addition (+) | in all, total, altogether, both, sum, more, added, combined |
| Subtraction (−) | left, fewer, less, difference, take away, how many more, remain |
Key terms
- Word problem
- A math question written as a story or real-life situation
- Sum
- The answer to an addition problem
- Difference
- The answer to a subtraction problem
- Clue words
- Words in a problem that hint at whether to add or subtract
Flashcards
- Addition clue words
- in all, total, altogether, sum, more, both, added, combined
- Subtraction clue words
- left, fewer, less, difference, take away, how many more, remain
- What is the first step in solving a word problem?
- Read carefully and find out what the question is asking
- Sum
- The result of adding two numbers
- Difference
- The result of subtracting one number from another
- How can you check your word problem answer?
- Re-read the question and make sure your answer makes sense
Practice questions
Lily has 12 crayons. She gives 5 to a friend. How many crayons does Lily have left?
- 17
- 7
- 8
- 6
Show answer
Answer: 7
12 - 5 = 7 crayons left.
The word 'altogether' usually means you should subtract.
Show answer
Answer: False
'Altogether' is an addition clue — it means to combine amounts.
There are 16 birds in a tree. 7 fly away. The number left is ___.
Show answer
Answer: 9
16 - 7 = 9 birds remaining.
The school has 30 red chairs and 25 blue chairs. How many chairs are there in all?
- 5
- 55
- 45
- 65
Show answer
Answer: 55
30 + 25 = 55 chairs in all.
Which clue word tells you to subtract?
- total
- sum
- altogether
- fewer
Show answer
Answer: fewer
'Fewer' indicates comparing and subtracting; the others are addition clue words.
Fun facts
- Great mathematicians always re-read word problems at least twice before solving — it is not a sign of being slow, it is a sign of being smart!
- Drawing a quick picture or diagram can make even tricky word problems much easier to solve.
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