🔢 MathGrade 2Lesson 11
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Solve Real-World Word Problems

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Learning Objectives

  • 1Read a real-world word problem
  • 2Identify the key facts
  • 3Decide whether to add or subtract based on key words
  • 4Write a number sentence
  • 5Solve it to find the correct answer
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Mini Lesson

A word problem puts math into a real-life story. To solve it you need to do three things: read carefully, decide which operation to use, then solve.

Step 1 — Read and find the key facts

  • Read the whole problem once slowly.
  • Underline the numbers you are given.
  • Circle the question — it always ends with a ?

Step 2 — Spot the key words

  • Addition key words: altogether, in all, total, more, combined, joined, plus.
  • Subtraction key words: left, remaining, fewer, how many more, took away, difference, lost.

Step 3 — Write the number sentence and solve

  • Example (add): "Mia had 24 stickers. She got 13 more. How many does she have in all?" → 24 + 13 = 37.
  • Example (subtract): "There were 80 cookies. The class ate 30. How many are left?" → 80 − 30 = 50.
  • Always check: does your answer make sense in the story?
Addition and subtraction key wordsTwo panels. Left panel labeled Add in blue lists: altogether, in all, total, more, joined, combined, plus. Right panel labeled Subtract in orange lists: left, fewer, took away, difference, remaining, how many more, lost.Key Words+ Addaltogetherin alltotalmorejoinedcombinedplus− Subtractleftfewertook awaydifferenceremaininghow many morelost
A two-panel key word card — addition words in blue and subtraction words in orange.
Three-step word problem strategy with worked exampleThree numbered steps shown as stacked cards. Step 1: Read — underline numbers, circle the question. Step 2: Decide — spot the key word. Step 3: Solve — write and calculate the number sentence. A worked example below shows 24 plus 13 equals 37.3-Step Strategy1. ReadUnderline the numbers. Circle the question (?)2. DecideSpot the key word → add or subtract?3. SolveWrite the number sentence and calculate.Mia: 24 stickers + 13 more → key word: more → add24 + 13 = 37
The three-step Read → Decide → Solve strategy with a worked addition example (24 + 13 = 37).
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Ask yourself: "Do I need to put together or take away? Which key word tells me?"

Vocabulary
Word problem
A math story you read and then solvee.g. I read the word problem and underlined the numbers.
Key words
Words in a problem that tell you to add or subtracte.g. Altogether is a key word for adding.
Number sentence
An equation with numbers and a + or − signe.g. I wrote the number sentence 24 + 13 = 37.
Total
The amount when you add everything togethere.g. The total of 24 plus 13 is 37.
Operation
Adding, subtracting, or another math actione.g. I picked the right operation for the story.
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← Lesson 10: Subtract 2- and 3-Digit NumbersLesson 12: Add and Subtract Using Number Lines →