Dictionary for Word Problems

When you solve a word problem, it can be challenging to figure out which operation to use. The words in the problem often give you hints: "altogether" usually means you should add, and "half" means you should divide by two. In this word list, you will find useful words and phrases and the math symbols they match. Use it to help you translate a text into a math expression.

Addition (+)

• and: +
• add: +
• Sum: +
• Total: +
• Altogether/in total: +
• Combined: +
• Increased by:
• More than: +
  

Subtraction (-)

• subtract: −
• Difference: -
• Take away: -
• Decreased by: -
• Fewer than: -
• Left/Remaining: -
• How many more: -
  

Multiplication (·)

• Times: ·
• Product: ·
• Of: ·
• Each: ·
• Double: · 2
• Twice: · 2
• Triple / Three times as many: · 3
• Four times as many: · 4
• Five times as many: · 5
  

Division(:)

• Quotient: :
• Per: :
• Share equally/split: :
• Half: : 2 = ½
• One third: : 3 = ⅓
• One fourth / one quarter: : 4 = ¼
  

Equal and Compare

• Is/is equal to: =
• Approximately equal to: ≈
• Greater than: >
• Less than: <
• At least: ≥
• At most: ≤

Names of the operations

• Addition = plus (or: add)
• Subtraction = minus (or: subtract)
• Multiplication = times (or: multiply)
• Division = divide (or: divided by)
  

Names of the parts

• term + term = sum (or: addend + addend = sum)
• term − term = difference (or: minuend − subtrahend = difference)
• factor · factor = product
• dividend : divisor = quotient (or: dividend ÷ divisor = quotient)
• numerator / denominator = quotient