Word Problems

[lisaann]

My son is having difficulity in figuring out when you need to + - x or / in word problems. I remember (way back when :heh) my teacher had a list of "clue words" that helped you remember what to do in a problem. I've started putting together a list like that for ds and need some help.

For example:
+ = "and", "altogether"

- = "difference", "how much more", "how much further"

I need some help with x and / and if you can think of any more for + and - I would be grateful.

I don't know why I'm drawing such a blank on this. :tsk Could be ds is a chip off the ol' block? :whistle

[DONNIE]

/ = goesintas

[lisaann]

I found this: :thumb
http://teachers.redclay.k12.de.us/pamela.waters/math/clue_words_for_story_problems.html

[acceptedinthebeloved]

With my children, I always used this one for multiplication clues:

"sets of", as in, "2 sets of 3 equals 6."
When they would see the X sign, they would automatically think "sets of" and that seemed to help them.
I would imagine it would also help if someone read those words as "clues" to know that it meant "multiplication."

Hopefully that helps. :hat