Solved Exercises on Solving One-Step Word Problems in Grade 1

Master problem solving: addition, subtraction, and reasoning through these 5 detailed exercises.

Solution: Exercises 1 to 3
1 Addition Word Problem
Exercise 1
Sarah has 3 apples. Her mom gives her 2 more apples. How many apples does Sarah have now?
Definition:

One-Step Addition Problem: A word problem that requires only one addition operation to solve.

Problem Solving Method:
  1. Read the problem carefully
  2. Identify what you know
  3. Identify what you need to find
  4. Decide what operation to use
  5. Solve the problem
  6. Check your answer
3
+
2
=
5
Step 1: Read the problem

Sarah has 3 apples. Her mom gives her 2 more apples.

Step 2: Identify what you know

Sarah starts with 3 apples, gets 2 more

Step 3: Identify what to find

How many apples does Sarah have altogether?

Step 4: Choose operation

We need to add because she gets MORE apples

Step 5: Solve

3 + 2 = 5

Step 6: Check

3 apples + 2 apples = 5 apples ✓

5 apples
Final answer:

Sarah has 5 apples now

Applied rules:

• Keywords: "more" indicates addition

• One Step: Only one operation needed

• Context: Adding more to what you already have

2 Subtraction Word Problem
Exercise 2
Tom had 8 cookies. He ate 3 cookies. How many cookies does Tom have left?
Definition:

One-Step Subtraction Problem: A word problem that requires only one subtraction operation to solve.

8
-
3
=
5
Step 1: Read the problem

Tom had 8 cookies. He ate 3 cookies.

Step 2: Identify what you know

Tom starts with 8 cookies, eats 3

Step 3: Identify what to find

How many cookies does Tom have left?

Step 4: Choose operation

We need to subtract because he loses cookies

Step 5: Solve

8 - 3 = 5

Step 6: Check

8 cookies - 3 cookies = 5 cookies ✓

5 cookies
Final answer:

Tom has 5 cookies left

Applied rules:

• Keywords: "left" indicates subtraction

• One Step: Only one operation needed

• Context: Taking away from what you have

3 Shopping Word Problem
Exercise 3
Emma bought 4 pencils and 3 erasers. How many school supplies did Emma buy altogether?
Definition:

Combination Word Problem: A problem that combines different items into one total.

4
+
3
=
7
Step 1: Read the problem

Emma bought 4 pencils and 3 erasers.

Step 2: Identify what you know

4 pencils and 3 erasers were bought

Step 3: Identify what to find

Total number of school supplies

Step 4: Choose operation

Add both items together to find total

Step 5: Solve

4 + 3 = 7

Step 6: Check

4 pencils + 3 erasers = 7 supplies ✓

7 supplies
Final answer:

Emma bought 7 school supplies altogether

Applied rules:

• Keywords: "altogether" indicates addition

• One Step: Only one operation needed

• Context: Combining different items into one total

Word Problem Solving Summary
Key Definitions

• Word Problem: A math question presented in sentence form

• One-Step Problem: Requires only one mathematical operation

• Keywords: Words that indicate which operation to use

• Operation: Addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division

• Solution: The answer to the problem

Problem = Information + Operation + Question
Word Problem Structure
Addition
+, more, total
Combine amounts
Subtraction
-, left, fewer
Take away
Keywords
clues
Guide operation
One-Step
single operation
One calculation
Problem-Solving Steps

• Read: Understand the entire problem

• Identify: Find important information

• Operation: Decide what to do

• Solve: Calculate the answer

• Check: Verify your solution

Common Keywords

• Addition: more, total, altogether, combined, plus

• Subtraction: left, remaining, less, fewer, minus

Solution: Exercises 4 to 5
4 Pet Word Problem
Exercise 4
Max has 6 toy cars. His friend gives him 4 more toy cars. How many toy cars does Max have now?
Definition:

Getting More Items: A problem where someone receives additional items.

6
+
4
=
10
Step 1: Read the problem

Max has 6 toy cars. His friend gives him 4 more.

Step 2: Identify what you know

Max starts with 6 cars, gets 4 more

Step 3: Identify what to find

Total number of toy cars Max has

Step 4: Choose operation

Addition because he gets MORE cars

Step 5: Solve

6 + 4 = 10

Step 6: Check

6 cars + 4 cars = 10 cars ✓

10 cars
Final answer:

Max has 10 toy cars now

Applied rules:

• Keywords: "more" indicates addition

• One Step: Only one operation needed

• Context: Adding to existing amount

5 Book Word Problem
Exercise 5
Lily had 9 books. She gave 2 books to her friend. How many books does Lily have now?
Definition:

Giving Away Items: A problem where someone gives away some of their items.

9
-
2
=
7
Step 1: Read the problem

Lily had 9 books. She gave 2 books to her friend.

Step 2: Identify what you know

Lily starts with 9 books, gives away 2

Step 3: Identify what to find

How many books Lily has now

Step 4: Choose operation

Subtraction because she GIVES AWAY books

Step 5: Solve

9 - 2 = 7

Step 6: Check

9 books - 2 books = 7 books ✓

7 books
Final answer:

Lily has 7 books now

Applied rules:

• Keywords: "gave" indicates subtraction

• One Step: Only one operation needed

• Context: Taking away from existing amount

Detailed Concepts and Methods
Answer = Known Amount ± Change Amount
Word Problem Formula
Key definitions:

Word Problem: A mathematical question presented in sentence form.

One-Step: A problem that requires only one operation to solve.

Keywords: Words that indicate which operation to use.

Word Problem Solving Strategy:
  1. Read: Carefully read the entire problem
  2. Identify: Find the numbers and what they represent
  3. Operation: Determine which operation to use
  4. Solve: Perform the calculation
  5. Check: Verify your answer makes sense
Tip 1: Look for keywords that indicate addition or subtraction.
Tip 2: Draw pictures to visualize the problem.
Tip 3: Read the question part last to know what to find.
Tip 4: Check if your answer is reasonable.

Common errors: Misreading keywords, using wrong operation, not answering the question.
Success strategies: Read carefully, identify key information, check work.
Essential Rules to Remember:

• Addition Keywords: more, total, altogether, combined, plus

• Subtraction Keywords: left, remaining, less, fewer, minus, gave

• One-Step: Only one operation needed

• Context: Understand the situation

• Verification: Check if answer makes sense

Word Problem Concepts Visualization
Problem Solving Steps and Strategies
Let's visualize word problem solving methods and their characteristics:
Addition Problems
3
+
2
=
5

Keywords: more, total, altogether

Subtraction Problems
8
-
3
=
5

Keywords: left, remaining, fewer

Problem Solving Steps
Read
Identify
Operate
Solve
Check

Follow the 5-step problem-solving process

Keyword Recognition

• Addition: more, total, altogether, combined, plus, increased

• Subtraction: left, remaining, less, fewer, minus, decreased, gave

• Key: Understand the context of the situation

Problem-Solving Skills: These exercises develop critical thinking and mathematical reasoning skills for real-world applications.

Questions & Answers

Question: I don't know when to add and when to subtract in word problems. How can I tell?

Answer: Look for these keywords:

  • Addition: "more", "total", "altogether", "combined", "added"
  • Subtraction: "left", "remaining", "fewer", "less", "gave", "spent"

Also ask yourself: "Am I getting more or losing some?" Getting more = add, losing some = subtract.

Example: "She has 5 and gets 3 more" → Addition (5 + 3)

Example: "He had 8 and gave away 2" → Subtraction (8 - 2)

Question: What activities can help my students practice one-step word problems?

Answer: Here are effective activities for word problem practice:

  • Real-world scenarios: Use actual objects like counters or toys
  • Story problems: Create relatable situations with students' names
  • Picture problems: Use visual representations
  • Keyword identification: Practice recognizing operation cues

Use everyday contexts like "How many snacks do you have left?" or "How many books did you collect?"

Start with simple problems and gradually increase difficulty!

Question: How can I help my child practice word problems at home?

Answer: Here are engaging home activities for word problem practice:

  • Daily life problems: "We have 5 cookies and eat 2, how many left?"
  • Toy scenarios: Use actual toys to model problems
  • Storytelling: Create simple stories with math questions
  • Shopping games: Practice with real money and items

Make it game-like: "Can you solve this mystery problem?" or "Let's be math detectives!"

Keep sessions short (10-15 minutes) and celebrate successful problem-solving!

Question: Why do we need to learn word problems? When will I use this?

Answer: Word problems are essential for real life:

  • Shopping: Calculating costs and change
  • Sharing: Dividing food or toys fairly
  • Planning: Figuring out how many items are needed
  • Future math: Foundation for all advanced math concepts

Word problems teach you to think critically and apply math to real situations!

These skills help you make smart decisions throughout your life!

Question: What should I do if I don't understand a word problem?

Answer: Try these steps when stuck:

  • Read again: Sometimes reading slowly helps
  • Draw pictures: Visualize the problem
  • Ask for help: Teachers and parents can explain
  • Look for keywords: Find words that hint at the operation

Remember: It's okay to ask for help when you're confused!

Practice makes word problems easier to understand!