Solved Exercises on Word Problems Within 100 in Grade 2

Master word problems within 100: addition and subtraction word problems with numbers up to 100 through these 5 detailed exercises.

Solution: Exercises 1 to 3
1 Addition word problem
Exercise 1
Sarah has 24 apples. Her mom gives her 37 more apples. How many apples does Sarah have now?
Definition:

Word problem: A real-life situation described in words that requires a mathematical solution

Word problem solving method:
  1. Read the problem carefully
  2. Identify the numbers involved
  3. Determine the operation needed (addition or subtraction)
  4. Set up the equation
  5. Solve the equation
  6. Write the answer in context
Problem
24 + 37
Setup
Sarah's apples + Mom's apples
Result
61
Step 1: Read and understand the problem

Sarah has 24 apples

Her mom gives her 37 more apples

We need to find the total number of apples

Step 2: Identify the numbers

Starting amount: 24 apples

Added amount: 37 apples

Step 3: Determine the operation

Since Sarah is getting MORE apples, we use addition

Equation: 24 + 37 = ?

Step 4: Solve the equation

24 + 37 = 61

Step 5: Write the answer in context

Sarah has 61 apples now.

Sarah has 61 apples now.
Final answer:

Sarah has 61 apples now.

Applied rules:

• Keywords: "more" indicates addition

• Context: Always answer in the context of the problem

• Verification: Check that the answer makes sense

Word Problem Solving Process
📊
Given Information

Sarah has: 24 apples

Mom gives: 37 apples

Operation

Keywords: "more"

Operation: Addition

Equation: 24 + 37

Final Answer

24 + 37 = 61

Sarah has 61 apples

2 Subtraction word problem
Exercise 2
Tom had 85 stickers. He gave 39 stickers to his friends. How many stickers does Tom have left?
Definition:

Subtraction word problem: A word problem that requires taking away or finding the difference between quantities

Problem
85 - 39
Setup
Starting amount - Given away
Result
46
Step 1: Read and understand the problem

Tom had 85 stickers originally

He gave away 39 stickers

We need to find how many he has left

Step 2: Identify the numbers

Starting amount: 85 stickers

Given away: 39 stickers

Step 3: Determine the operation

Since Tom is GIVING AWAY stickers, we use subtraction

Equation: 85 - 39 = ?

Step 4: Solve the equation

85 - 39 = 46

Step 5: Write the answer in context

Tom has 46 stickers left.

Tom has 46 stickers left.
Final answer:

Tom has 46 stickers left.

Applied rules:

• Keywords: "gave" and "left" indicate subtraction

• Context: Always answer in the context of the problem

• Verification: Check that the answer makes sense

Subtraction Word Problem
📊
Given Information

Tom had: 85 stickers

Gave away: 39 stickers

Operation

Keywords: "gave", "left"

Operation: Subtraction

Equation: 85 - 39

Final Answer

85 - 39 = 46

Tom has 46 stickers left

3 Mixed operations word problem
Exercise 3
Lisa collected 48 seashells at the beach. She gave 15 to her brother and then found 23 more. How many seashells does Lisa have now?
Definition:

Mixed operations word problem: A word problem that requires more than one mathematical operation to solve

Problem
48 - 15 + 23
Step 1
48 - 15 = 33
Step 2
33 + 23 = 56
Step 1: Read and understand the problem

Lisa collected 48 seashells

She gave 15 to her brother (subtraction)

She found 23 more (addition)

We need to find the final number of seashells

Step 2: Identify the operations

First: 48 - 15 (gave away)

Then: + 23 (found more)

Step 3: Solve step by step

First operation: 48 - 15 = 33

Second operation: 33 + 23 = 56

Step 4: Write the answer in context

Lisa has 56 seashells now.

Lisa has 56 seashells now.
Final answer:

Lisa has 56 seashells now.

Applied rules:

• Order of operations: Work from left to right

• Keywords: "gave" (subtraction), "found" (addition)

• Context: Always answer in the context of the problem

Mixed Operations Word Problem
📊
Starting Amount

Lisa collected: 48 seashells

Step 1: Gave Away

48 - 15 = 33

Lisa gave 15 to brother

Step 2: Found More

33 + 23 = 56

Lisa found 23 more

Complete Summary: Word Problems Within 100
?
Word Problem Structure
Key definitions:

Word problem: A real-life situation described in words that requires a mathematical solution

Keywords: Words that indicate which operation to use (more, total, altogether = addition; less, fewer, left, gave = subtraction)

Context: The real-world situation described in the problem

Verification: Checking that the answer makes sense in the context of the problem

Complete methodology:
  1. Read carefully: Understand the situation described
  2. Identify numbers: Find all the numbers mentioned
  3. Find keywords: Look for words that indicate the operation needed
  4. Set up equation: Write the mathematical expression
  5. Solve: Calculate the answer
  6. Answer in context: Write the answer in relation to the original problem
  7. Verify: Check that the answer makes sense
Tip 1: Underline or circle the numbers in the problem.
Tip 2: Look for keywords that tell you whether to add or subtract.
Tip 3: Draw pictures or use objects to visualize the problem.
Tip 4: Always answer in complete sentences that match the question.
Tip 5: Check your answer by estimating if it's reasonable.
Common errors: Misreading numbers, using wrong operation, not answering in context.
Key concepts: Keywords guide operations, context matters, verification is important.
Memorization tips: "More means add, less means subtract!" for operation identification.
Essential rules to remember:

• Addition keywords: more, total, altogether, combined, sum, increased by

• Subtraction keywords: less, fewer, left, gave, spent, decreased by, difference

• Context: Always answer in the context of the original problem

• Verification: Check that your answer makes sense in the real world

Examples progression
Simple addition word problem:

"Tom has 23 marbles. He finds 15 more. How many does he have?" → 23 + 15 = 38

Simple subtraction word problem:

"Sarah had 45 cookies. She ate 18. How many are left?" → 45 - 18 = 27

Mixed operations word problem:

"Jake collected 52 shells. He gave 23 to his friend and then found 14 more. How many does he have?" → 52 - 23 + 14 = 43

Solution: Exercises 4 to 5
4 Multi-step word problem
Exercise 4
A school library has 78 books. On Monday, 25 books were borrowed by students. On Tuesday, 19 books were returned. How many books are in the library now?
Definition:

Multi-step word problem: A word problem that requires multiple operations to solve, performed in sequence

Problem
78 - 25 + 19
Step 1
78 - 25 = 53
Step 2
53 + 19 = 72
Step 1: Read and understand the problem

The library starts with 78 books

On Monday: 25 books borrowed (subtraction)

On Tuesday: 19 books returned (addition)

We need to find the final number of books

Step 2: Identify the operations

First: 78 - 25 (books borrowed)

Then: + 19 (books returned)

Step 3: Solve step by step

After Monday: 78 - 25 = 53 books remaining

After Tuesday: 53 + 19 = 72 books total

Step 4: Write the answer in context

The library has 72 books now.

The library has 72 books now.
Final answer:

The library has 72 books now.

Applied rules:

• Order of operations: Work from left to right

• Keywords: "borrowed" (subtraction), "returned" (addition)

• Context: Always answer in the context of the problem

Multi-Step Word Problem
📊
Starting Amount

Library has: 78 books

Monday: Borrowed

78 - 25 = 53

25 books borrowed

Tuesday: Returned

53 + 19 = 72

19 books returned

5 Comparison word problem
Exercise 5
Emma has 64 crayons. Ben has 38 crayons. How many more crayons does Emma have than Ben?
Definition:

Comparison word problem: A word problem that asks for the difference between two quantities

Problem
64 - 38
Setup
Emma's crayons - Ben's crayons
Result
26
Step 1: Read and understand the problem

Emma has 64 crayons

Ben has 38 crayons

We need to find the difference (how many more)

Step 2: Identify the numbers

Emma's amount: 64 crayons

Ben's amount: 38 crayons

Step 3: Determine the operation

Since we're finding "how many more", we use subtraction

Equation: 64 - 38 = ?

Step 4: Solve the equation

64 - 38 = 26

Step 5: Write the answer in context

Emma has 26 more crayons than Ben.

Emma has 26 more crayons than Ben.
Final answer:

Emma has 26 more crayons than Ben.

Applied rules:

• Keywords: "how many more" indicates subtraction

• Comparison: Subtract the smaller number from the larger number

• Context: Always answer in the context of the problem

Comparison Word Problem
📊
Given Information

Emma has: 64 crayons

Ben has: 38 crayons

Operation

Keywords: "how many more"

Operation: Subtraction

Equation: 64 - 38

Final Answer

64 - 38 = 26

Emma has 26 more crayons

Questions & Answers

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

Answer: Great question! Look for keywords that tell you what to do:

  • Addition keywords: more, total, altogether, combined, sum, increased by, got, found
  • Subtraction keywords: less, fewer, left, gave, spent, decreased by, difference, how many more

Also think about the situation: if someone gets more of something, add. If someone gives away or uses something, subtract.

Question: My child sometimes gives the right calculation but in the wrong context. How can I help them answer properly?

Answer: Here are some strategies to help your child answer in context:

  • Have them re-read the question to see exactly what it's asking
  • Practice writing the answer in a complete sentence
  • Use the same units mentioned in the problem (apples, stickers, etc.)
  • Encourage them to check: "Does my answer make sense for the question asked?"

For example, if the question is "How many apples does Sarah have now?", the answer should be "Sarah has X apples now."

Question: I want to get faster at solving word problems. Are there any shortcuts I can learn?

Answer: Once you master the basics, here are some strategies for advanced learners:

  • Keyword recognition: Quickly identify operation words without reading the whole problem
  • Estimation: Estimate the answer first to catch mistakes
  • Patterning: Notice that similar problems follow the same structure
  • Mental math: Practice doing calculations in your head

But remember, accuracy is more important than speed! Always double-check your work.

Practice with timed drills once you're comfortable with the basic strategies to build speed and accuracy.