MathIsimple
Lesson 5-1

Five Types of Word Problems

Learn to identify and solve five different types of addition and subtraction word problems

Add ToTake FromPut TogetherProblem Solving

Five Types of Word Problems

Learn to recognize different types of word problems and choose the right operation

Add To Problems

Addition (+)

When something is added to an existing amount. Look for words like 'more', 'bought', 'came', or 'joined'.

Examples:

Sarah has 5 apples. She buys 3 more. How many apples does she have now?
There were 7 birds on the tree. 4 more birds came. How many birds are there now?
Tom had 6 stickers. He got 2 more from his friend. How many stickers does he have?

Take From Problems

Subtraction (-)

When something is removed from an existing amount. Look for words like 'ate', 'used', 'gave away', or 'left'.

Examples:

Maria had 9 cookies. She ate 2 cookies. How many cookies are left?
There were 12 balloons. 3 popped. How many balloons are left?
Jake had 8 toy cars. He gave 3 to his brother. How many cars does he have left?

Put Together Problems

Addition (+)

When two groups are combined. Look for words like 'altogether', 'total', 'both', or 'combined'.

Examples:

There are 4 red cars and 5 blue cars. How many cars are there altogether?
Lisa has 3 dolls and 2 teddy bears. How many toys does she have in total?
The class has 6 boys and 7 girls. How many students are there in all?

Take Apart Problems

Subtraction (-)

When a total is split into parts. Look for words like 'split', 'divided', 'shared', or 'separated'.

Examples:

There are 10 candies. 3 are chocolate and the rest are vanilla. How many are vanilla?
Amy has 8 stickers. She puts 4 on her notebook. How many stickers are left?
The class has 15 students. 9 are girls. How many are boys?

Compare Problems

Subtraction (-)

When comparing two amounts to find the difference. Look for words like 'more than', 'less than', or 'how many more'.

Examples:

Sam has 7 marbles. Ben has 4 marbles. How many more marbles does Sam have?
There are 9 cats and 6 dogs. How many more cats than dogs are there?
Lisa has 12 stickers. Tom has 8 stickers. How many fewer stickers does Tom have?

Interactive Practice

Practice identifying and solving different types of word problems

Kitchen Helper Challenge

Help the little chef solve cooking problems by identifying the correct operation.

Activity: Read cooking scenarios and choose whether to add or subtract ingredients

Shopping Cart Math

Practice word problems while shopping for groceries.

Activity: Calculate totals and change while shopping for different items

Problem Type Detective

Identify which type of word problem you're solving.

Activity: Read problems and match them to the correct problem type

Example Library

See step-by-step solutions for each type of word problem

Add To Problem: Apple Shopping

Problem:

Sarah has 5 apples. She buys 3 more. How many apples does she have now?

Solution:

5 + 3 = 8 apples

Steps:

  1. 1Start with 5 apples (Sarah's original amount)
  2. 2Add 3 more apples (what she bought)
  3. 3Count all apples together: 5 + 3 = 8
  4. 4Sarah has 8 apples in total

Visual:

5 apples + 3 apples = 8 apples total

Take From Problem: Cookie Eating

Problem:

Maria had 9 cookies. She ate 2 cookies. How many cookies are left?

Solution:

9 - 2 = 7 cookies

Steps:

  1. 1Start with 9 cookies (Maria's original amount)
  2. 2Subtract 2 cookies (what she ate)
  3. 3Count remaining cookies: 9 - 2 = 7
  4. 4Maria has 7 cookies left

Visual:

9 cookies - 2 eaten = 7 cookies remaining

Put Together Problem: Toy Collection

Problem:

There are 4 red cars and 5 blue cars. How many cars are there altogether?

Solution:

4 + 5 = 9 cars

Steps:

  1. 1Count red cars: 4
  2. 2Count blue cars: 5
  3. 3Add them together: 4 + 5 = 9
  4. 4There are 9 cars altogether

Visual:

4 red cars + 5 blue cars = 9 cars total

Compare Problem: Marble Collection

Problem:

Sam has 7 marbles. Ben has 4 marbles. How many more marbles does Sam have?

Solution:

7 - 4 = 3 more marbles

Steps:

  1. 1Count Sam's marbles: 7
  2. 2Count Ben's marbles: 4
  3. 3Find the difference: 7 - 4 = 3
  4. 4Sam has 3 more marbles than Ben

Visual:

7 marbles - 4 marbles = 3 more marbles

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