Math Story Problem Clue Words

Addition Subtraction

addend + addend = sum minuend – subtrahend = difference

• addend • minuend
• sum • subtrahend
• add • difference
• plus • subtract
• total • minus
• in all • take away
• all together • less than
• more • how many fewer
• more than • decreased by
• increased by • how much change is left
• combined
• perimeter (l + l + w + w)

Multiplication Division

factor x factor = product dividend ÷ divisor = quotient

• factor quotient
• product divisor) dividend
• times
dividend = quotient
• multiplied by
divisor
• each
• of • dividend
• twice (2x) • divisor
• thrice (3x) • quotient
• how many times more • divided by
• area (l x w) • per
• volume (l x w x h) • rate
• power • ratio (numerator : denominator)
• exponent (multiply base • separate
number • decimal (divide by place value of last digit)
by base number the exponent
• percent (divide by 100)
number of times)
32 = 3 x 3 = 9 NOT 3 x 2 = 6 • fraction (numerator ÷ denominator)
or (top ÷ bottom)