Word problem keywords are words or phrases that tell the students which operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division) are needed to solve a word problem. Using keywords, students are training their brains to look for specific words and phrases to determine what mathematical operations are needed.

The first step in solving a word problem is always to read the problem. You need to be able to translate words into mathematical symbols, focusing on keywords that indicate the mathematical procedures required to solve the problem—both the operation and the order of the expression.