Math Key Words for Word Problems, as Flashcards

Flip a key word, name its operation, then print 12 cards to a sheet.

Math Key Words for Word Problems, as Flashcards

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Next step Print word problems and find the key words

All 57 cards

Addition key words 12

  • 5 more than 8 Add: 5 more than 8 is 8 + 5 = 13.
  • added to Add: 7 added to 11 is 18.
  • altogether Add: 5 cats and 2 dogs are 7 pets altogether.
  • both Add: if Mia has 6 shells and Leo has 5, both have 11.
  • combined Add: 10 boys and 12 girls combined make 22 children.
  • grew by Add: a plant 9 cm tall that grew by 3 cm is now 12 cm.
  • in all Add: 3 red cars and 4 blue cars make 7 cars in all.
  • increased by Add: 15 increased by 5 is 20.
  • plus Add: 9 plus 3 is 12.
  • sum Add: the sum of 6 and 8 is 14.
  • together Add: 4 apples and 4 pears together are 8 pieces of fruit.
  • total Add: a $4 book and a $3 pen cost $7 in total.

Subtraction key words 12

  • 3 fewer than 10 Subtract: 3 fewer than 10 is 10 − 3 = 7.
  • 4 less than 9 Subtract: 4 less than 9 is 9 − 4 = 5. The order flips.
  • change (money back) Subtract: pay $10 for a $6 toy and the change is $4.
  • decreased by Subtract: 20 decreased by 6 is 14.
  • difference Subtract: the difference between 12 and 5 is 7.
  • gave away Subtract: 12 stickers, gave away 5, so 7 are kept.
  • how many fewer Subtract: 4 is how many fewer than 10? 10 − 4 = 6.
  • how many more Subtract: 11 is how many more than 6? 11 − 6 = 5.
  • left Subtract: 8 birds, 3 fly away, so 5 are left.
  • minus Subtract: 10 minus 4 is 6.
  • remain Subtract: 15 cookies, 9 eaten, so 6 remain.
  • take away Subtract: 9 take away 2 is 7.

Multiplication key words 11

  • by (a 3 by 4 rug) Multiply: a 3 by 4 rug covers 3 × 4 = 12 squares.
  • double Multiply: double 8 is 2 × 8 = 16.
  • every (every day, 6 days) Multiply: 2 pages every day for 6 days is 12 pages.
  • groups of Multiply: 4 groups of 3 are 12.
  • multiplied by Multiply: 7 multiplied by 2 is 14.
  • of (3 bags of 5) Multiply: 3 bags of 5 apples are 15 apples.
  • product Multiply: the product of 4 and 6 is 24.
  • rows of Multiply: 5 rows of 6 chairs are 30 chairs.
  • times Multiply: 3 times 7 is 21.
  • triple Multiply: triple 5 is 3 × 5 = 15.
  • twice Multiply: twice 9 is 2 × 9 = 18.

Division key words 10

  • cut into Divide: a 12 m rope cut into 3 equal pieces gives 4 m each.
  • divided by Divide: 18 divided by 6 is 3.
  • equal groups Divide: 30 pupils in 5 equal groups is 6 a group.
  • half of Divide by 2: half of 14 is 14 ÷ 2 = 7.
  • how many groups Divide: how many groups of 5 in 25? 25 ÷ 5 = 5.
  • how many in each Divide: 24 eggs in 4 boxes, how many in each? 6.
  • quotient Divide: the quotient of 20 and 4 is 5.
  • separate Divide: separate 16 socks into pairs, 8 pairs.
  • share equally Divide: share 15 cards equally among 3 players, 5 each.
  • split Divide: 12 grapes split between 2 friends is 6 each.

Equals key words 6

  • equals Equals: 5 × 2 equals 10.
  • gives Equals: 9 − 3 gives 6, so 9 − 3 = 6.
  • is Equals: 3 + 4 is 7 means 3 + 4 = 7.
  • makes Equals: 4 and 4 makes 8, so 4 + 4 = 8.
  • results in Equals: 10 ÷ 2 results in 5.
  • same as Equals: 6 + 2 is the same as 8.

Two meanings: per, each, more 6

  • each: 3 boxes, 6 each Multiply: 3 boxes with 6 in each is 3 × 6 = 18.
  • each: 18 in 3 boxes, each? Divide: 18 in 3 boxes is 18 ÷ 3 = 6 in each.
  • more: 4 more than 9 Add: 4 more than 9 is 9 + 4 = 13.
  • more: how many more, 9 or 4? Subtract: 9 is 5 more than 4, since 9 − 4 = 5.
  • per: $2 per pen, 4 pens Multiply: $2 per pen for 4 pens is 2 × 4 = $8.
  • per: $8 for 4 pens, per pen? Divide: $8 for 4 pens is 8 ÷ 4 = $2 per pen.

How it works

These math key words, also called math operation words, come as 57 cards in 6 sets: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, equals, and words with two meanings. Each back names the operation and works one example.

Read the full guide

Key words for word problems, set by set

Addition runs from in all to grew by, subtraction from difference to change (money back). Multiplication has twice, triple and rows of; division has quotient, share equally and half of. The last set gives per, each and more in two problems each, so pupils read the whole problem first.

Quiz, then print

Quiz mode asks for the operation: type add, subtract, multiply, divide or equals, or the sign + or -. Once a card is turned, Print cards puts 12 on a sheet with the answers on the back; all 57 take 5 sheets of Letter or A4.

  • Read the Two meanings set aloud: per gives multiply in one problem and divide in the next.

Questions and answers

What are addition key words and subtraction key words?

Addition: in all, altogether, total, sum, plus, combined, increased by. Subtraction: difference, minus, left, take away, how many more, fewer than, decreased by. Each of the two sets holds 12 cards with a worked example on the back.

What does of mean in math?

Usually multiply: 3 bags of 5 apples is 3 × 5 = 15. Half of 14 is ½ × 14 = 7, the same as 14 ÷ 2, and the deck files half of under division as divide by 2.

Do key words always tell you the operation?

No. Per, each and more can point two ways, as the last set shows: $2 per pen for 4 pens is 2 × 4, but $8 for 4 pens is 8 ÷ 4, $2 per pen. Read the whole problem, then choose.

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