โ Addition Word Problems: Bringing Things Together
Addition word problems are all about combining things or increasing a quantity. They often use words like 'add,' 'plus,' 'combine,' 'in all,' 'total,' and 'increase.' The goal is to find the sum of two or more numbers.
โ Subtraction Word Problems: Taking Things Away
Subtraction word problems involve taking away from a quantity or finding the difference between two numbers. Keywords include 'subtract,' 'minus,' 'difference,' 'take away,' 'less than,' and 'decrease.' You're trying to find out what's left after removing something.
๐ Addition vs. Subtraction: A Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature |
Addition Word Problems |
Subtraction Word Problems |
| Core Concept |
Combining quantities to find a total. |
Removing a quantity from another to find the difference. |
| Common Keywords |
'Add,' 'plus,' 'combine,' 'in all,' 'total,' 'increase' |
'Subtract,' 'minus,' 'difference,' 'take away,' 'less than,' 'decrease' |
| Mathematical Operation |
$a + b = c$ |
$a - b = c$ |
| Example Scenario |
You have 3 apples and get 2 more. How many apples do you have in all? |
You have 5 cookies and eat 2. How many cookies are left? |
| Visual Representation |
Adding groups together |
Taking away part of a group |
๐ก Key Takeaways
- โ Addition: Focuses on increasing the total. Keywords indicate things are being combined.
- โ Subtraction: Focuses on decreasing the total. Keywords indicate something is being removed.
- ๐ง Read Carefully: Pay close attention to the wording of the problem to identify whether you are adding or subtracting.
- โ๏ธ Practice: The more you practice, the easier it will become to identify addition and subtraction problems quickly.
- ๐ Real-World Connection: Think about real-life situations where you add things together (like combining toys) or take things away (like eating snacks).