Addition & Subtraction Word Problems — Answer Key
Part A: Sort the Words
Sort each word or number into the correct category box.
1. Sort each signal word into the correct category.
Addition Signal Words
altogetherin allmore Subtraction Signal Words
fewerleft overtake away Addition signal words tell you to combine amounts. Subtraction signal words tell you to take away or find how many are left.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. There are 35 students. 12 go home early. 23 students remain.
The word 'remain' tells you to subtract. 35 − 12 = 23. There are 23 students remaining.
2. A store has 47 shirts. They sell 28. They have 19 left.
The word 'left' tells you to subtract. 47 − 28 = 19. The store has 19 shirts left.
3. Ben has 36 marbles. He wins 14 more. He has 50 in all.
The words 'more' and 'in all' tell you to add. 36 + 14 = 50. Ben has 50 marbles in all.
4. There are 60 seats. 25 are filled. 35 seats are empty.
To find how many are empty, subtract the filled seats. 60 − 25 = 35. There are 35 empty seats.
5. The word 'altogether ' tells you to add two amounts together.
The word 'altogether' means to combine or add all amounts together to find the total.
Part C: True or False?
Read each statement. Circle True or False.
1. 35 + 28 = 63.
True False
Add the ones: 5 + 8 = 13, write 3 and carry 1. Add the tens: 3 + 2 + 1 = 6. So 35 + 28 = 63.
2. 47 − 28 = 19.
True False
Regroup: 17 − 8 = 9 in the ones place, then 3 − 2 = 1 in the tens place. So 47 − 28 = 19.
3. 'How many are left?' signals addition.
True False
'How many are left?' signals subtraction, not addition. The word 'left' tells you something was taken away.
4. 60 − 25 = 45.
True False
60 − 25 = 35, not 45. Regroup: 10 − 5 = 5 in the ones place, then 5 − 2 = 3 in the tens place.