STORY PROBLEMS A story problem is a word problem that contains a problem you need to solve by adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing in order to figure out the answer. When solving a story problem, you’ll need to: Read the problem carefully. Figure out the problem you need to solve. Look for CLUE words that tell you if you need to add, subtract, divide, or multiply to solve the problem. Clue words you might find in a story problem that will give you a hint that you need to add in order to solve the problem: add, altogether, in all, total, sum Clue words you might find in a story problem that will give you a hint that you need to subtract in order to solve the problem: subtract, difference, left, how many more, remain Check your answer by asking yourself: Does my answer make sense? Example: Marie had 17 jelly beans. Her brother ate 5 of her jelly beans. How many jelly beans does Marie have left? The clue words – have left – tell you that you need to SUBTRACT in order to solve the problem. 17 jelly beans – 5 jelly beans = 12 jelly beans 17 – 5 = 12 Answer: 12 jelly beans © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted for the purchaser to print copies for non-commercial educational purposes only. Visit us at www.NewPathLearning.com.
Another example: Steve has 11 stickers in his sticker collection. His friend Gavin gave Steve 5 more stickers. How many stickers does Steve now have in all? The clue words – in all – tell you that you need to ADD in order to solve the problem. 11 stickers + 5 stickers = 16 stickers 11 + 5 = 16 Answer: 16 stickers © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted for the purchaser to print copies for non-commercial educational purposes only. Visit us at www.NewPathLearning.com.