Mastering Subtraction: A Guide to Recognizing Key Words and Solving Math Problems

Subtraction Key Words

When solving math problems, it is important to recognize key words that indicate subtraction

When solving math problems, it is important to recognize key words that indicate subtraction. These key words help identify situations where subtraction is necessary. Here are some common subtraction key words that you should be familiar with:

1. Minus: The word “minus” is often used to indicate subtraction. For example, in the expression “5 minus 2,” we subtract 2 from 5, resulting in a value of 3.

2. Decrease: The word “decrease” suggests a subtraction operation is needed. For instance, if a certain quantity decreases by 4, you would subtract 4 from the original value.

3. Less: When something is described as “less,” it implies a subtraction. For example, if a store is selling a shirt for $20 less than its original price, you would subtract $20 from the original price.

4. Reduce: The term “reduce” is another indication of subtraction. If you need to reduce a value by a certain amount, you subtract that amount from the original value.

5. Take away: The phrase “take away” implies subtraction as well. For instance, if you have 10 apples and someone takes away 3, you subtract 3 from 10 to find the result.

6. Difference: The word “difference” indicates the result of subtracting one value from another. For instance, if you are asked to find the difference between 8 and 3, you perform the operation 8 – 3, resulting in a difference of 5.

These subtraction key words are helpful when reading and understanding word problems or when instructed to perform subtraction operations. By identifying these key words, you can determine the necessary mathematical operation required to solve the problem accurately.

More Answers: