Addition and Subtraction Word Problems with Key Words

Complete guide to solving addition and subtraction word problems by identifying key words that indicate the correct operation.

Key Words and Problem Solving
📚 + 📚 = Success!
Word Problem Key Words Guide

What Are Key Words?

Key words are special words in word problems that tell us whether to add or subtract. These words act like road signs that point us in the right direction.

Core Key Word Definitions:

Key definitions:

Key Words: Words that indicate the mathematical operation needed to solve a problem

Addition Key Words: Words that signal combining or increasing quantities

Subtraction Key Words: Words that signal taking away or decreasing quantities

Problem Context: The situation described in the word problem that helps determine the operation

+
ADDITION KEY WORDS
• More
• Together
• Total
• Sum
• Altogether
• Combined
• Plus
• Added to
• Increase
−
SUBTRACTION KEY WORDS
• Left
• Remaining
• Fewer
• Less
• Take away
• Difference
• Gives
• Ate
• Minus
5-Step Key Word Strategy:
  1. Read Carefully: Read the entire word problem
  2. Circle Key Words: Find and circle operation indicator words
  3. Identify Numbers: Find the numbers to work with
  4. Draw Picture: Sketch to visualize the problem
  5. Solve & Check: Do the math and verify your answer
Tip 1: "Together" and "total" almost always mean addition.
Tip 2: "Left" and "remaining" usually mean subtraction.
Tip 3: Ask: "Are we putting things together or taking them away?"
Tip 4: Draw dots or circles to represent objects in the problem.
Common Mistake: Seeing "and" and automatically adding. Look at the question too!
Success Strategy: Always consider the full context, not just individual words.
Problem Solving with Key Words
1 Addition Problem with Key Words
Problem 1
Sarah has 4 stickers. Her friend gives her 3 more stickers. How many stickers does Sarah have altogether?
1
Key Word Identification: "more" and "altogether" indicate addition
2
Numbers: 4 (original) and 3 (additional)
3
Equation: 4 + 3 = 7
Visual Representation:

Original stickers: ●●●● (4)

More stickers: ●●● (3)

Total: ●●●●●●● (7)

Sarah has 7 stickers altogether.
Final answer:

Sarah has 7 stickers altogether.

Key Learning:

• "More" means addition: 4 + 3 = 7

• "Altogether" asks for the total

• We combine both groups to find the answer

2 Subtraction Problem with Key Words
Problem 2
Tom had 8 cookies. He ate 3 cookies. How many cookies are left?
1
Key Word Identification: "ate" and "left" indicate subtraction
2
Numbers: 8 (original) and 3 (eaten)
3
Equation: 8 - 3 = 5
Visual Representation:

All cookies: ●●●●●●●● (8)

Eaten: ❌❌❌ (3)

Remaining: ●●●●● (5)

Tom has 5 cookies left.
Final answer:

Tom has 5 cookies left.

Key Learning:

• "Ate" means taking away: 8 - 3 = 5

• "Left" asks for what remains

• We subtract to find the remaining amount

3 Combined Groups Problem
Problem 3
There are 5 children playing soccer and 4 children playing basketball. How many children are playing sports altogether?
1
Key Word Identification: "altogether" indicates addition
2
Numbers: 5 (soccer) and 4 (basketball)
3
Equation: 5 + 4 = 9
Visual Representation:

Soccer players: ⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽ (5)

Basketball players: 🏀🏀🏀🏀 (4)

Total players: ⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽🏀🏀🏀🏀 (9)

9 children are playing sports altogether.
Final answer:

9 children are playing sports altogether.

Key Learning:

• "Altogether" means combining all groups

• We add different activities to find the total

• Both groups count toward the final answer

Advanced Examples and Practice
4 Subtraction with Context
Problem 4
Maria baked 10 cupcakes. She gave 4 cupcakes to her neighbors. How many cupcakes does Maria have remaining?
1
Key Word Identification: "gave" and "remaining" indicate subtraction
2
Numbers: 10 (baked) and 4 (given away)
3
Equation: 10 - 4 = 6
Visual Representation:

All cupcakes: 🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁 (10)

Given away: ❌❌❌❌ (4)

Remaining: 🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁 (6)

Maria has 6 cupcakes remaining.
Final answer:

Maria has 6 cupcakes remaining.

Key Learning:

• "Gave" means taking away: 10 - 4 = 6

• "Remaining" asks for what's left after subtraction

• The original amount decreases by the amount taken away

5 Multi-step Addition
Problem 5
On Monday, 6 birds were sitting on a tree. On Tuesday, 3 more birds joined them. How many birds are there altogether?
1
Key Word Identification: "more" and "altogether" indicate addition
2
Numbers: 6 (Monday) and 3 (Tuesday)
3
Equation: 6 + 3 = 9
Visual Representation:

Monday: 🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦 (6)

Tuesday: 🐦🐦🐦 (3)

Total: 🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦 (9)

9 birds are there altogether.
Final answer:

9 birds are there altogether.

Key Learning:

• "More" indicates addition: 6 + 3 = 9

• "Altogether" asks for the combined total

• Time periods don't change the addition principle

Questions & Answers

Question: How can I help my students who struggle with distinguishing between "more" and "left"? They often confuse these key words.

Answer: This is a common challenge! Here are effective strategies:

  • Contextual Teaching: "More" means getting extra, "left" means what stays after taking away
  • Physical Demonstration: Use manipulatives - add more cubes vs. remove some and see what remains
  • Act It Out: Have students physically demonstrate scenarios (adding more friends vs. leaving some behind)
  • Memory Phrase: "More = Getting More" and "Left = What Stays"
  • Visual Cues: Use arrows pointing inward for addition, outward for subtraction

Create key word sorting activities and practice with multiple examples. Repetition with variety helps solidify understanding.

Question: Sometimes I see "and" in problems. Should I always add when I see "and"? Like "I have 2 dogs and 3 cats" - do I add them?

Answer: Great question! "And" connects information, but the operation depends on the question:

  • If the question asks "total" or "altogether": YES, add them (2 + 3 = 5 pets total)
  • If the question asks about just one group: NO, keep them separate
  • Look at the entire sentence to understand what's being asked

Example: "I have 2 dogs and 3 cats. How many pets altogether?" → Add: 2 + 3 = 5

But: "I have 2 dogs and 3 cats. How many cats?" → Answer: 3 cats (no addition)

Question: What are some fun ways to practice these key words at home? My child learns better when engaged in activities.

Answer: Here are engaging home activities:

  • Key Word Scavenger Hunt: Find addition/subtraction words in books or signs
  • Cooking Math: "We need 3 cups and 2 more cups" (addition) or "We used 4 eggs, how many left?" (subtraction)
  • Toy Sorting: Count toys, add more, or take some away while saying key words aloud
  • Story Creation: Make up stories using key word phrases
  • Art Projects: Draw pictures showing addition (combining) and subtraction (removing)

Daily practice with real-life scenarios reinforces learning naturally and makes math meaningful!