BACK TO WORKSHEETS
In this activity, we are going to answer word problems involving addition and subtraction.
In most questions, we'll have to do more than one calculation, so reading the question carefully is very important!
It can be useful to highlight/underline important information when answering word problems.
Highlighting helps us to focus on the bits of information we are going to need.
Example
Chelsea is saving up to buy a new laptop.
She receives £100 birthday money and saves £65 of her pocket money.
The laptop is on offer at £450.00
How much more money does Chelsea need in order to buy the laptop?
Can you see how the important information is highlighted?
Answer
We need to identify the key information.
Chelsea receives a total of £165 (£100 + £65)
The laptop costs £450
The question asks us to find how much more money Chelsea needs, so we need to find the difference, which means subtraction.
£450 - £165 = £285
Chelsea needs another £285
Column addition and subtraction would work well for these calculations.
We must ensure we put each digit in the correct column.
Now let's look at another example.
There is quite a lot of information here, so the important stuff is highlighted for us.
Remember to read the question carefully and think about what it is asking us to do.
Balloons cost £3.00 each
A balloon seller starts the day with 300 balloons.
By lunchtime, he has sold 70 balloons.
During lunchtime, he blows up another 40 balloons.
He only sells 10 in the afternoon.
How many balloons does he have at the end of the day?
Answer
First, we can work out how many balloons are sold 70 + 10 = 80
Subtract this from the starting number 300 - 80 = 220
Then add the number of balloons blown up 220 + 40 = 260
At the end of the day he has 260 balloons.
We didn't need to use the information about the cost of the balloons in this question.
Now, why don't you have a go at some questions like these?
Remember to read the question carefully and highlight the important information!
