1. How to Solve Word Problems
Mrs. Cromer’s 4th Grade

2. If you want to get the right answer…
you’ve got to ask the right question!

3. Grace Stasny Strategy
A fish tank contains 4 large fish and 80 small fish. How many fish are there in the tank?
fish
A. ________________
What are you looking for? (noun)
Think: Are the nouns ALL THE SAME, or MIGHTY DIFFERENT? 4
large
fish
B. ________________
________________
What 2 things do you know? (# and noun) 80
small
fish C. A S M D
Think: Do you think there are MORE than 80 fish, or LESS than 80 fish?
80 small fish
+ 4 large fish
84 fish

4. Think: Are the nouns ALL THE SAME, or MIGHTY DIFFERENT?
Grace Stasny Strategy
Mr. Brown is 35 years old. His son, Nathan is 26 years younger than him. How many years old is Nathan?
years
A. ________________
What are you looking for? (noun)
Think: Are the nouns ALL THE SAME, or MIGHTY DIFFERENT? 35
years
B. ________________
________________
What 2 things do you know? (# and noun) 26
years C. A S M D
Think: Do you think the son is MORE than 35 years old, or LESS than 35 years old? 2 15
35 years
- 26 years
9 years

5. Think: Are the nouns ALL THE SAME, or MIGHTY DIFFERENT?
Grace Stasny Strategy
Aunt Amy has planned 6 games for her daughter’s birthday party. Each game will have 3 prizes. How many prizes does she need to plan for?
prizes
A. ________________
What are you looking for? (noun)
Think: Are the nouns ALL THE SAME, or MIGHTY DIFFERENT? 6
games
B. ________________
________________
What 2 things do you know? (# and noun) 3
prizes C. A S M D
Think: Do you think there will be MORE than 3 prizes, or LESS than 3 prizes?
6 games
x 3 prizes
18 prizes

6. Think: Are the nouns ALL THE SAME, or MIGHTY DIFFERENT?
Grace Stasny Strategy
A class picnic will cost about $50. If there are 17 students in a class, how much money should each student bring?
Money
(dollars)
A. ________________
What are you looking for? (noun)
Think: Are the nouns ALL THE SAME, or MIGHTY DIFFERENT? 50
dollars
B. ________________
________________
What 2 things do you know? (# and noun) 17
students C. A S M D
Think: Do you think each student should bring MORE than $50, or LESS than $50?
$50 ÷
17 students =
$2.95

7. + Addition Clue Words Sum Plus In all (x) Altogether (x) Total (x)
Combined
Joined
Some of these clue words can also mean multiplication!!! Use Grace Stasny to see if the nouns are all the same or mighty different!
Some of these clue words can also mean multiplication!!! Use Grace Stasny to see if the nouns are all the same or mighty different!
Some of these clue words can also mean multiplication!!! Use Grace Stasny to see if the nouns are all the same or mighty different!

8. Subtraction Clue Words-
Subtraction Clue Words
Difference
Left
Minus
Less
Change
Remaining
Take away
Decrease
How many/much more
How many/much less
-ER words:
lower
wider
greater
older
taller
shorter
longer
higher
younger
newer
smaller
slower
faster
bigger
fewer

9. x Multiplication Product Times Twice Altogether (+) Total (+) Each (÷)
Some of these clue words can also mean addition!!! Use Grace Stasny to see if the nouns are all the same or mighty different!

10. ÷ Division Quotient Each (x) Separate Apiece Half Equal Per Share
Split