Page 1 · Introduction
Maths in words
A word problem is a little story with a maths question hidden inside. The skill is working out which sum to do. Once you find that, the maths is the easy part!
The big ideaRead carefully and look for clue words. ‘Altogether’ and ‘more’ often mean add. ‘Left’ and ‘fewer’ often mean take away. ‘Each’ and ‘groups of’ often mean multiply.
💡We start with one-step problems, then try two-step ones. Read slowly — the clue is always in the words.
On the real testWhere this appearsWord problems are a big part of the Mathematical Reasoning section of the OC test (sat in Year 4). Reading carefully is half the answer.
Page 2 · Clue words
Finding the right sum
Certain words tell you what to do. ‘Altogether’, ‘in total’, ‘more’ mean add. ‘Left’, ‘fewer’, ‘take away’ mean subtract.
Mia has 6 marbles. She gets 5 more. How many altogether?
‘More’ and ‘altogether’ mean add: 6 + 5 = 11.
11
Tom had 10 lollies and ate 4. How many are left?
‘Left’ means take away: 10 − 4 = 6.
6
Page 3 · Multiply or share
Groups and sharing
‘Each’ and ‘groups of’ usually mean multiply. ‘Shared equally’ usually means divide.
There are 3 plates with 4 biscuits each. How many biscuits?
‘Each’ means multiply: 3 × 4 = 12.
12
12 apples are shared equally between 4 children. How many each?
‘Shared equally’ means divide: 12 ÷ 4 = 3.
3
Page 4 · Two steps
When there’s more than one step
Some problems need two sums. Do them in order — work out the first part, then use it for the second.
Sam buys 3 packs of 5 cards, then gives 4 away. How many are left?
First: 3 × 5 = 15 cards. Then: 15 − 4 = 11.
11
A shop had 20 balloons, sold 8, then got 5 more. How many now?
20 − 8 = 12, then 12 + 5 = 17.
17
Level 1 · Easy
Warm up
One-step problems. Tap to check.
1. Ben has 7 stickers and gets 3 more. How many altogether?
7 + 3 = 10.
2. There are 9 birds and 4 fly away. How many are left?
9 − 4 = 5.
3. A box has 2 rows of 5 eggs. How many eggs?
2 × 5 = 10.
Level 2 · Medium
Building up
Choosing the right sum.
1. 15 sweets shared equally between 3 friends. How many each?
15 ÷ 3 = 5.
2. There are 4 tables with 6 chairs each. How many chairs?
4 × 6 = 24.
3. Ana had 18 pencils and lost 7. How many left?
18 − 7 = 11.
Level 3 · Hard
Getting tougher
Bigger numbers.
1. A class has 12 boys and 14 girls. How many children altogether?
12 + 14 = 26.
2. 24 books shared equally onto 4 shelves. How many per shelf?
24 ÷ 4 = 6.
3. A jar had 30 lollies. Two children took 6 each. How many left?
2 × 6 = 12 taken. 30 − 12 = 18.
Level 4 · Challenge
Challenge
Two-step problems.
1. Leo buys 4 packs of 5 stickers, then gives 3 to a friend. How many left?
4 × 5 = 20, then 20 − 3 = 17.
2. A shop had 25 apples, sold 10, then got 8 more. How many now?
25 − 10 = 15, then 15 + 8 = 23.
3. 3 friends each have 6 marbles. They put them together, then share equally into 2 bags. How many per bag?
3 × 6 = 18 marbles. 18 ÷ 2 = 9 per bag.
Page 9 · Well done
You’ve finished Word Problems
You can now read a word problem, find the clue words, choose the right sum, and solve one-step and two-step problems. Careful reading is the secret — the maths is the easy bit!
RememberRead slowly and find the clue words: altogether/more = add, left/fewer = subtract, each/groups = multiply, shared equally = divide.
🎉Great work! Try another module next — every one helps you get ready.
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