Lesson 9 of 12
📖 Word Problems
What You'll Learn
- How to identify what a word problem is asking
- Pick the right operation: add, subtract, multiply, or divide
- Solve real-world math stories step by step
Reading a Word Problem
A word problem tells a math story. Your job is to find the hidden equation inside the story!
Use this 3-step plan every time:
- What do I know? — find the numbers in the story
- What am I finding? — read the question at the end
- What operation? — decide: +, −, ×, or ÷
Operation Clue Words
Add (+): in all, total, altogether, combined, more than
Subtract (−): left over, difference, fewer, how many more, less
Multiply (×): each, per, groups of, rows of, times
Divide (÷): share equally, split, each person gets, how many groups
Let's Try One Together
"Mia has 4 bags of apples. Each bag has 6 apples. How many apples does Mia have in all?"
- Know: 4 bags, 6 apples each
- Finding: total apples
- Clue word: "each" → multiply!
- Equation: 4 × 6 = 24 apples
Now practice with the problem generator below. Click 💡 Hint if you get stuck!
Quick Check
1. Zoe has 24 crayons and gives 9 to a friend. Which equation solves this?
2. Leo buys 5 packs of stickers. Each pack has 8 stickers. How many in all?
3. 36 kids split into equal teams of 6. How many teams?