Here's the solution to each question, with a clear explanation for why each operation is correct:
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1. What operation would you use to solve this problem?
*Tom had 15 baseball cards. He gave 6 to his friend. How many cards does Tom have left?*
✔ Correct Answer: A — subtraction
Explanation:
When something is *taken away* or *given away*, we use
subtraction to find what remains.
Starting with 15 and giving away 6 → 15 – 6 = 9 cards left.
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2. What operation would you use to solve this problem?
*Sue was going shopping with her mom. She bought 4 pairs of pants and 3 shirts. How many items did she buy in all?*
✔ Correct Answer: C — addition
Explanation:
The phrase “in all” means we are finding the
total number of items. We add the number of pants and shirts together:
4 + 3 = 7 items total.
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3. What operation would you use to solve this problem?
*Cam had 12 marbles. Jim has 3 marbles. How many more marbles does Cam have than Jim?*
✔ Correct Answer: C — subtraction
Explanation:
“How many more” means we are comparing two amounts and finding the
difference between them.
Cam has 12, Jim has 3 → 12 – 3 = 9 more marbles.
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4. What operation would you use to solve this problem?
*Mia’s bird is 12 inches long. Bronc’s bird is 10 inches long. How much longer is Mia’s bird?*
✔ Correct Answer: A — subtraction
Explanation:
Again, “how much longer” asks for the
difference in length. We subtract the shorter length from the longer one:
12 – 10 = 2 inches longer.
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5. What operation would you use to solve this problem?
*Gabe had 13 cars. He raced 6 down the ramp. How many cars remain?*
✔ Correct Answer: B — subtraction
Explanation:
“Remain” means what is left after some are used or taken away. Gabe started with 13 and used 6 → 13 – 6 = 7 cars remain.
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✔ Final Answers:
1.
A — subtraction
2.
C — addition
3.
C — subtraction
4.
A — subtraction
5.
B — subtraction
These problems test your understanding of
key words in word problems that signal which math operation to use:
- *Left, remain, how many more, how much longer* →
Subtraction
- *In all, total, altogether* →
Addition
- *Times, each, groups of* →
Multiplication (not used here)
Let me know if you’d like help with the remaining 10 questions!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of mixed word problem worksheet.
