Math Drills
Difference Word Problems Review
3Word Problems
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What this worksheet covers
Situations built on the words fewer and more are sorted according to whether they call for addition or subtraction. For fewer-than problems and for more-than problems alike, both the cases that turn into addition and the cases that turn into subtraction are covered.
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The most common error is choosing the operation from the wording alone: subtract whenever it says 3 fewer, add whenever it says more. Which quantity is actually being asked for has been missed, and the answer lands on the wrong side by exactly the difference. Drawing the situation makes the mix-up visible.
In this unit, words that mean fewer or more decide which expression to write, and the sense of judging larger from smaller sharpened in 2-Digit Subtraction becomes the clue. This way of reading a problem is put to use again later in Order and Position Word Problems, when finding a position or a number of people.
- 'Fewer' Word Problems · Addition1 question
- 'Fewer' Word Problems · Subtraction1 question
- 'More' Word Problems · Addition2 questions
- 'More' Word Problems · Subtraction2 questions
Questions & answers
Problems and answers on this worksheet
These are the problems in “Difference Word Problems”, shown with their answers.
(1)On Ethan's bookshelf, there are 42 notebooks. There are 29 fewer notebooks than books. How many books are there? Answer □
Answer: 71books
(2)In the meadow, 32 butterflies were found. There are 15 fewer ladybugs than butterflies. How many ladybugs are there? Answer □
Answer: 17ladybugs
(3)In the school courtyard, 74 yellow flowers are blooming. There are 18 more red flowers than yellow flowers. How many red flowers are blooming? Answer □
Answer: 92flowers
(4)Around the pond, there are 14 frogs. There are 18 more rabbits than frogs. How many rabbits are there? Answer □
Answer: 32rabbits
(5)At the store, 35 oranges are lined up. There are 18 more oranges than peaches. How many peaches are there? Answer □
Answer: 17peaches
(6)In the park, 84 blue flowers are blooming. There are 47 more blue flowers than red flowers. How many red flowers are blooming? Answer □
Answer: 37flowers
