Comparison word problems involve interpreting two quantities as related by “more than,” “less than,” or an unknown difference, then determining the missing quantity or how many separate them. The relationship can be represented with drawings, aligned quantities, a number line, or an addition or subtraction equation, including cases where the unknown is the larger amount, smaller amount, or difference, with numbers within 20; multiplicative comparisons and larger-number generalizations are not included.
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Detailed Explanation: Solve comparison word problems
A comparison problem tells how two amounts are related. Look for words such as more, less, or how many separate.
Example:
Mia has 8 stickers. Leo has 5 stickers. How many more stickers does Mia have than Leo?
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Find the two amounts.
Mia has . Leo has . -
Find what is missing.
We need the difference—the number of stickers between and . -
Subtract the smaller amount from the larger amount.
- Answer the question.
Mia has 3 more stickers than Leo.
You can also check by adding:
So, the comparison is correct.
Learn by doing: Solve comparison word problems
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Practice:
Ten Groups - Subtract, Without Borrow, Less than 30
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Download/Modify Free Grade 1 'Solve comparison word problems' Worksheet
Print this free 'Solve comparison word problems' worksheet to practice this skill away from the computer. Click 'Modify' to easily customize this worksheet to your exact needs.
This Worksheet Includes:
- Ten Groups - Subtract, Without Borrow, Less than 30
- Graphing - Bar Graph (Single) - Difference of Two
- Ten Groups - Compare, Less than 20 - to Words
- Ten Groups - Compare, Less than 20 - to Symbol
- Base 10 Blocks - Less or Greater Than - Pictures to Words - Ones
- Base 10 Blocks - Less or Greater Than - Pictures to Symbol - Ones
- Compare Numbers to 10
- Compare One- or Two-Digit Numbers to 20
Units Teaching This Skill
These adaptive units introduce, teach, or reinforce this skill (Solve comparison word problems) through scaffolded problems that grow in difficulty as concepts are understood.