🔢 MathGrade 4Lesson 38
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Math Story Problems

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Learning Objectives

  • 1Identify key information in word problems
  • 2Select the correct operation to solve story problems
  • 3Write and solve number sentences from real-world contexts
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Mini Lesson

Story problems describe real-world situations using words. To solve them you must read carefully, find the key numbers, decide which operation to use, and write a number sentence. Follow these four steps every time.

Step 1 — Read the Problem Twice

  • First read: understand the whole situation — who, what, where.
  • Second read: look for the numbers you need and find the question being asked.
  • Rereading catches details you miss on the first pass.

Step 2 — Underline Key Information

  • Underline key numbers (quantities, prices, distances, amounts).
  • Circle the question word: "how many", "how much", "how far", "in total".
  • Cross out information that is not needed for solving.

Step 3 — Decide the Operation

  • Addition: clue words are "altogether", "total", "sum", "in all", "combined".
  • Subtraction: clue words are "left", "fewer", "difference", "remain", "less than".
  • Multiplication: clue words are "groups of", "times", "each", "per", "every".
  • Division: clue words are "shared equally", "split", "per person", "divided by".

Step 4 — Write a Number Sentence, Solve, and Check

  • Write the number sentence using the numbers from the problem and the chosen operation.
  • Calculate the answer and include the correct unit (km, $, people, apples, etc.).
  • Check: does the answer make sense? Use estimation to verify.
Operation Clue WordsOperation Clue Words+altogethertotalsumin allcombining two or more groups-leftfewerdifferenceremainfinding what is remainingxgroups oftimeseachperequal groups joined together/shared equallysplitpersharing into equal parts
Story Problem StepsStory Problem Steps1Read the Problem TwiceFirst: understand context. Second: find numbers.2Underline Key InfoUnderline numbers. Circle the question word.3Write Number SentenceUse clue words to choose +, -, x, or /4Solve and CheckCalculate then check: does the answer make sense?
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Tip: if you are unsure of the operation, re-read the question and look for the clue words. "How many altogether?" always means add. "How many are left?" always means subtract.

Vocabulary
word problem
A math problem written in sentences instead of just numbers.e.g. "Maya has 12 apples and gives 5 away. How many are left?"
clue word
A word in a problem that tells you which operation to use.e.g. "Altogether" is a clue word for addition.
number sentence
An equation written from the numbers in a word problem.e.g. For "3 boxes of 4 pens", the number sentence is 3 × 4 = 12.
operation
The action used in a calculation: +, −, ×, or ÷.e.g. The operation in 24 ÷ 6 = 4 is division.
unit
The label that tells what a number measures.e.g. In 5 km, the unit is kilometers.
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