Math Keywords & Signal Words
Every word problem hides a clue. Discover the signal words that reveal which operation to use — with 150+ worked examples across 5 operations.
Choose an Operation
Each page includes the full keyword list, definitions, and 4 worked examples per word.
Addition Keywords
Answer called: sum
When you see these words in a math word problem, they signal that you need to add two or more numbers together. The result of an addition problem is called the sum. The numbers being added are called addends.
Subtraction Keywords
Answer called: difference
When you see these words in a math word problem, they signal that you need to subtract. The result of a subtraction problem is called the difference. The number you start with is the minuend and the number you subtract is the subtrahend.
Multiplication Keywords
Answer called: product
When you see these words in a math word problem, they signal that you need to multiply. The result of a multiplication problem is called the product. The numbers being multiplied are called factors.
Division Keywords
Answer called: quotient
When you see these words in a math word problem, they signal that you need to divide. The result is called the quotient. The number being divided is the dividend and the number doing the dividing is the divisor. Any amount left over is the remainder.
Equals / Equality Keywords
Answer called: result
These words signal equality in a math sentence — they tell you where the answer or result is. They act like the equals sign (=), linking an expression to its value.
What Are Math Keywords?
A simple four-step approach to using signal words in word problems.
Read the whole problem
Before jumping to numbers, read the problem once completely. Get a sense of the story or situation being described.
Highlight signal words
Underline or circle words from our keyword lists. These are your operation clues — they tell you what the problem is really asking.
Match words to operations
Use the tables on each operation page to map the highlighted words to +, −, ×, or ÷. When in doubt, check context.
Write the equation & solve
Translate the sentence into a number sentence using the operation you identified, then solve step by step.