In order to to do well on any math test, test takers have to first understand the question! This can prove tricky. Sometimes math questions use fancy words for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Your job as a scholar is to be familiar with the different ways questions are asked. The list below is helpful -- USE IT!
Addition Words (add when you see the words below in a math problem! CAUTION: MAKE SURE YOU'RE ADDING THE CORRECT NUMBERS. Read the problem carefully!)
1. Add
2. Altogether
3. Both
4. In all
5. Sum
6. Total
Subtraction Words (subtract when you see the
words below in a math problem! CAUTION: MAKE SURE YOU'RE SUBTRACTING THE
CORRECT NUMBERS. Read the problem carefully!)
1. Difference
2. Fewer
3. How many more
4. How much more
5. Left
6. Less: Debra bought apples for $3.20 and oranges for $4.23. How much less did the apples cost?
7. Minus
8. Need to
9. Remains
10. Subtract
10. Words ending with "er"; higher, longer, faster, heavier, larger, shorter, slower, farther, etc. Example: Jean's apple weighs 100 grams, and Karen's apple weighs 80 grams. How much heavier is Jean's apple?
Multiplication Words (multiply when you see the words below in a math problem! CAUTION: MAKE SURE YOU'RE MULTIPLYING THE CORRECT NUMBERS. Read the problem carefully!)
1. Times: Maria ran around the track 5 times. It took her 5 minutes to run around the track. How many minutes did she run?
2. Every: Kim buys 2 apples everyday. How many apples does she buy in a week?
3. At this rate: Ed reads 25 words per minute. At this rate, how many words does he read in one hour?
Division Words (divide when you see the words below in a math problem! CAUTION: MAKE SURE YOU'RE DIVIDING THE CORRECT NUMBERS. Read the problem carefully!)
1. Each: Ken has 75 pencils and 15 boxes. How many pencils should he pack in each box so each customer gets the same number of pencils?
2. Cut
3. Ratio
4. Quotient
5. Split
6. Out of
7. Percent (divide by 100)
Watch this video for more help!
Play this game for more practice!
