“Life is a continuous exercise in creative problem solving.”
--Michael J. Gelb
Using Key Words 
to Solve Word Problems
Sometimes you can choose the correct operation (add, subtract, multiply, divide) by using key words that appear in the problem.
Key Words for Addition and Subtraction Word Problems
Addition | Subtraction |
altogether combined entire cost in all increased by more more than plus sum total total cost | change decreased by difference fewer how much left how much less how many fewer how much more how much saved how much taller less than minus
|
Key Words for Multiplication and Division Word Problems
Multiplication | Division |
times product times as many as squared (or second power) cubed (or third power) doubled (x 2) tripled (x3)
| split evenly divided by quotient half of (÷ 2) shared evenly into groups |
