1. FRACTION WORD PROBLEMS
PLAYING DETECTIVE
FINDING KEY WORDS
Modified by Mr. Kohut, 2016

2. Math 2: 6-6 Dividing Fractions & Mixed #’s
When reading word problems containing fractions, certain phrases can indicate the operation that you need to do in order to solve the word problem.
Sunshine State Standards: MA.A , MA.A , MA.A , MA.A

3. Math 2: 6-6 Dividing Fractions & Mixed #’s
Addition +
“How much together?”
“How far will she travel
from home to the park,
then to the library?”
Subtraction −
“How much more is needed?”
“How much further than?”
“How much is left?”
“How bigger than?”
Sunshine State Standards: MA.A , MA.A , MA.A , MA.A

4. Math 2: 6-6 Dividing Fractions & Mixed #’s
Multiplication ×
“Times longer...”
“The product of…”
“A fraction of something…”
Division ÷
“Find the quotient…”
“Divided into to pieces…”
“How many will fit?”
“How many can be split from?”
Sunshine State Standards: MA.A , MA.A , MA.A , MA.A

5. Math 2: 6-6 Dividing Fractions & Mixed #’s
In the recent Student Government elections, Larry received of the votes for treasurer and Leah received of the votes. What fraction of the votes did both candidates earn together?
1 3
1 15
Sunshine State Standards: MA.A , MA.A , MA.A , MA.A

6. Math 2: 6-6 Dividing Fractions & Mixed #’s
Solution:
1 3
1 15 ×5 + = ×5
5 15
1 15
5+1 15 + = =
6 15
2 5 =
Together they received of the votes.
2 5
Sunshine State Standards: MA.A , MA.A , MA.A , MA.A

7. Math 2: 6-6 Dividing Fractions & Mixed #’s
One tree is 6 feet tall. Another one is only feet tall. How much taller is the larger of two trees.
1 4
Sunshine State Standards: MA.A , MA.A , MA.A , MA.A

8. Math 2: 6-6 Dividing Fractions & Mixed #’s
Solution:
4 4 6 5 =
1 4
− 3
3 4 2
The larger tree is feet taller than the smaller one. 2
1 4
Sunshine State Standards: MA.A , MA.A , MA.A , MA.A

9. Math 2: 6-6 Dividing Fractions & Mixed #’s
1 3
Sean swam 2 miles at swim team practice. If Becky swam 1 times as far as Sean, then how many miles did Becky swim?
1 2
Sunshine State Standards: MA.A , MA.A , MA.A , MA.A

10. Math 2: 6-6 Dividing Fractions & Mixed #’s
Solution:
1 3
1 2 2 1 × =
7 3
3 2
21 6
3 6
1 2 3 3 × = = =
Becky swam miles at swim team practice. 3
1 2
Sunshine State Standards: MA.A , MA.A , MA.A , MA.A

11. Math 2: 6-6 Dividing Fractions & Mixed #’s
Charlie works at a livery and uses a 60 pound bag of oats to feed the horses. If each horse gets pounds of food, then how many horses can Charlie feed with one bag of oats?
4 5
Sunshine State Standards: MA.A , MA.A , MA.A , MA.A

12. Math 2: 6-6 Dividing Fractions & Mixed #’s
Solution:
4 5
60 1
4 5 60 ÷ = ÷ =
60 1
5 4
300 4 75 × = =
One bag of oats can feed 75 horses.
Sunshine State Standards: MA.A , MA.A , MA.A , MA.A

13. What are some other key words that you know for word problems?
There are many other key words that will help you discover what a word problem is asking you to do.
What are some other key words that you know for word problems?