Comparison Word Problems up to 20: Mixed Practice
🔀 The ultimate comparison test! You will have to decide for yourself whether you need to add or subtract to find the missing clue.
Do this: Read the concept below, then try the quiz or activity.
Concept
You have learned all 3 types of comparison word problems! Now they are going to be mixed up.
🎯 Your Detective Checklist: Before you solve a comparison problem, ask yourself: WHAT am I looking for? 1. Am I looking for the DIFFERENCE? (e.g. "How many more points did Team A score than Team B?") -> Subtract! (Big - Small = Difference) 2. Am I looking for the LARGER amount? (e.g. "Bob has 5 *more* than Joe. Joe has 10. How many does Bob have?") -> Add! (Small + Difference = Big) 3. Am I looking for the SMALLER amount? (e.g. "A cat is 12 lbs out. A kitten is 3 lbs *lighter*. How heavy is the kitten?") -> Subtract! (Big - Difference = Small)
Take a deep breath and think about the story before you start writing numbers!
Try it
Be a careful detective!
Instructions: Read each story. Decide what you are looking for (Difference, Large, or Small), pick +, or -, and solve!
Problem 1: A bakery sold 16 chocolate cakes and 9 vanilla cakes. How many more chocolate cakes did they sell? * Looking for: DIFFERENCE * Equation: ___ - ___ = ___ * Answer: ___ more chocolate cakes.
Problem 2: A red string is 12 inches long. A blue string is 7 inches longer than the red string. How long is the blue string? * Looking for: LARGE amount * Equation: 12 + 7 = ___ * Answer: ___ inches.
Problem 3: A big dog ate 15 treats. A puppy ate 6 fewer treats than the big dog. How many treats did the puppy eat? * Looking for: SMALL amount * Answer: ___ treats.
Problem 4: You have 8 crayons. Your friend has 14 crayons. What is the difference between your crayons? * Answer: ___