Maths
Word Problems
Learning Objectives
- Read and understand simple word problems.
- Identify whether to add or subtract to solve a problem.
- Use clue words to decide the operation.
- Solve addition word problems with numbers up to 50.
- Solve subtraction word problems with numbers up to 50.
- Write the answer with the correct unit (rupees, mangoes, children, etc.).
Let Us Begin!
Ravi has 12 mangoes. His friend Arjun gives him 8 more. How many mangoes does Ravi have now? This is a word problem!
Word problems are maths questions written as stories. We need to read carefully, find the numbers, and decide whether to add (+) or subtract (−). Let us learn how to solve word problems step by step.
How to Solve a Word Problem (4 Steps)
Step 1: READ the problem carefully. Read it twice if needed.
Step 2: FIND the numbers and the question (what is being asked?).
Step 3: DECIDE — do we add or subtract? Look for clue words.
Step 4: SOLVE — write the number sentence and the answer with the unit.
Step 2: FIND the numbers and the question (what is being asked?).
Step 3: DECIDE — do we add or subtract? Look for clue words.
Step 4: SOLVE — write the number sentence and the answer with the unit.
Clue Words
| Clue Words for Addition (+) | Clue Words for Subtraction (−) |
|---|---|
| in all, together, total, altogether | left, remaining, left over |
| how many in all, both together | gave away, flew away, ate, lost |
| more, joined, came | how many more, difference |
Tip: If things are coming together or increasing → ADD. If things are going away or decreasing → SUBTRACT.
Addition Word Problems (Solved Examples)
Problem 1: Meena has 15 red bangles and 12 green bangles. How many bangles does she have in all?
Numbers: 15 and 12. Clue: "in all" → ADD
15 + 12 = 27 bangles ✓
Numbers: 15 and 12. Clue: "in all" → ADD
15 + 12 = 27 bangles ✓
Problem 2: Arjun had ₹20. His grandfather gave him ₹15 more on Diwali. How much money does Arjun have now?
Numbers: 20 and 15. Clue: "more" → ADD
20 + 15 = ₹35 ✓
Numbers: 20 and 15. Clue: "more" → ADD
20 + 15 = ₹35 ✓
Problem 3: There are 18 boys and 14 girls in Class 2A. How many children are there altogether?
Numbers: 18 and 14. Clue: "altogether" → ADD
18 + 14 = 32 children ✓
Numbers: 18 and 14. Clue: "altogether" → ADD
18 + 14 = 32 children ✓
Subtraction Word Problems (Solved Examples)
Problem 4: Sita had 30 laddoos for Diwali. She gave 14 to her neighbours. How many laddoos are left?
Numbers: 30 and 14. Clue: "left" → SUBTRACT
30 − 14 = 16 laddoos ✓
Numbers: 30 and 14. Clue: "left" → SUBTRACT
30 − 14 = 16 laddoos ✓
Problem 5: There were 45 birds on a banyan tree. 18 birds flew away. How many birds are still on the tree?
Numbers: 45 and 18. Clue: "flew away" → SUBTRACT
45 − 18 = 27 birds ✓
Numbers: 45 and 18. Clue: "flew away" → SUBTRACT
45 − 18 = 27 birds ✓
Problem 6: Ravi scored 42 runs in cricket. Arjun scored 28 runs. How many more runs did Ravi score than Arjun?
Numbers: 42 and 28. Clue: "how many more" → SUBTRACT
42 − 28 = 14 more runs ✓
Numbers: 42 and 28. Clue: "how many more" → SUBTRACT
42 − 28 = 14 more runs ✓
Key Words
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Word problem | A maths question written as a story |
| Clue word | A word that tells us to add or subtract |
| Number sentence | The maths equation (e.g., 15 + 12 = 27) |
| Sum | The answer to an addition problem |
| Difference | The answer to a subtraction problem |
| Unit | What we are counting (mangoes, rupees, children...) |
⭐ Key Points to Remember
- Read the problem carefully — at least twice!
- Look for clue words to decide if you add or subtract.
- Write the number sentence (e.g., 15 + 12 = 27).
- Always write the unit in your answer (flowers, rupees, birds...).
- Check your answer by reading the problem again.
- "How many more" always means subtract the smaller from the bigger.
Practice Questions
A. Fill in the Blanks
1. Ravi has 13 pencils. He gets 6 more. He has pencils in all.
2. Meena had 25 stickers. She gave 10 to Priya. She has stickers left.
3. There are 20 boys and 18 girls in a class. Total students = .
4. Arjun had ₹40. He spent ₹15 on samosas. He has ₹ left.
5. Sita picked 14 mangoes and 11 bananas. She picked fruits in all.
6. The word "left" tells us to . (add / subtract)
7. The word "altogether" tells us to . (add / subtract)
8. 36 children were in the park. 12 went home. children are still in the park.
9. Priya has 22 red beads and 15 blue beads. She has beads altogether.
10. A cricket team scored 48 runs. They need 50 to win. They need more runs.
B. Choose the Correct Answer (MCQ)
1. Ravi has 22 marbles. He loses 9. How many are left?
2. A basket has 16 apples and 14 oranges. How many fruits in all?
3. Meena had ₹50. She bought a book for ₹30. How much money is left?
4. Which clue word means we should add?
5. Arjun scored 35 runs. Ravi scored 28 runs. How many more runs did Arjun score?
C. Short Answer / Word Problems (Solve with working)
1. There are 32 children in a class. 14 children are absent today. How many children are present?
2. Sita has 24 red beads and 13 blue beads. How many beads does she have altogether?
3. Arjun had ₹45. He bought a toy car for ₹22. How much money does he have left?
4. During Holi, Priya had 40 water balloons. She threw 25 at her friends. How many balloons are left?
5. A school bus has 28 children. At the first stop, 9 more children get on. How many children are on the bus now?
D. True or False
1. "How many are left?" means we should add.
2. "Altogether" is a clue word for addition.
3. 25 + 13 = __(38)__ is a number sentence.
4. "Gave away" means we should add.
5. We should always write the unit in our answer.
E. Match the Following
| Column A (Clue Word) | Column B (Operation) |
|---|---|
| 1. In all | a) Subtraction |
| 2. Left | b) Addition |
| 3. Together | c) Subtraction |
| 4. Flew away | d) Addition |
| 5. How many more | e) Subtraction |
🎨 Activity: Write Your Own Word Problems
Write one addition word problem and one subtraction word problem using Indian names and things you see around you (fruits, toys, rupees, cricket runs). Swap with a friend and solve each other's problems!
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