A number story can ask you to join two amounts, take some away or compare two amounts. Read it twice and picture what is happening before you choose.
When a story compares, such as "how many more does Mia have than Leo?", subtract the smaller amount from the bigger one. A bar model, two bars side by side, can show the difference clearly.
Worked example
Mia has 64 beads. Leo has 38 beads. How many more beads does Mia have?
- This compares two amounts, so find the difference.
- 64 − 38 = 26.
Answer:26 more beads
Key words
- join
- put amounts together
- compare
- find how much more or less
- bar model
- a drawing of bars that shows the amounts
Practise this
New questions every time.
Common Core-referenced: 2.OA.A.1