Clue Words and Key Word List for Math Word Problems
The words below tell you which operation a word problem is asking for. Use this as a reference sheet while solving, or print it to keep at your desk.
| Addition ➕ | Subtraction ➖ | Multiplication ✖️ | Division ➗ |
|---|---|---|---|
| sum | difference | times | split |
| total | fewer | product | share equally |
| altogether | less than | each | per (rate/unit) |
| combined | remain | every | average |
| in all | left | twice | quotient |
| both | how many more | double | divided by |
| increased by | decreased by | triple | equal groups |
| plus | minus | of (fractions/%) | how many each |
| added to | take away | groups of | cut into |
| all together | subtracted from | multiplied by | distributed evenly |
| how many in all | reduced by | per (rate contexts) | out of |
| grand total | how much taller/shorter/longer | for every | ratio of |
| as many as |
⚠️ The "Per Trap"
"Per" usually signals division when finding a rate (miles per hour = total ÷ hours), but signals multiplication when applying a known rate (3 miles per lap × 4 laps). Always read the full question before deciding.
Deep-dive pages — examples + worked traps
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Want 129 keywords instead of ~50?
The full pack includes the 3-step Word Problem Decoder, 4 mental math shortcuts, and a beautifully formatted printable PDF — not just this on-screen list.