Problems About Comparing
Problems about comparing find the difference between two quantities using subtraction: larger number minus smaller number equals the difference. In Grade 6 Saxon Math Course 1 (Chapter 2: Problem Solving with Number and Operations), students recognize comparison questions by keywords like how many more, how many fewer, how much greater, and how much less. For a library with 528 graphic novels and 379 chapter books: 528 - 379 = 149 more graphic novels. Unlike separating problems, comparing problems do not describe an action removing items—they find the static gap between two values.
Key Concepts
Property To compare two groups and find the difference, use subtraction: $$ \text{Greater} \text{lesser} = \text{difference} $$ $$ g l = d $$ Explanation Ever wondered who has more stuff? This is how you find out! Comparison problems use subtraction to find the 'how many more' or 'how many fewer' between two groups. Just take the bigger number, subtract the smaller one, and boom—you have the difference! It's like a math showdown to see who wins. Full Example Problem : The Red Team scored 415 points and the Blue Team scored 378 points. How many more points did the Red Team score? Step 1 : This is a comparison problem, so we use the subtraction pattern. Step 2 : We write the equation: Greater $ $ lesser $=$ difference, which becomes $415 378 = d$. Step 3 : We solve by subtracting: $415 378 = 37$. Step 4 : The Red Team scored 37 more points than the Blue Team.
Common Questions
What is the comparing pattern in word problems?
Bigger number minus smaller number equals the difference. It answers questions like how many more or how many fewer.
A library has 528 graphic novels and 379 chapter books. How many more graphic novels are there?
528 - 379 = 149 more graphic novels.
What keywords signal a comparing problem?
How many more, how many fewer, how much greater, how much less, difference, or exceed all signal a comparing (subtraction) problem.
How does a comparing problem differ from a separating problem?
A comparing problem finds the gap between two existing quantities. A separating problem describes a quantity being reduced over time by an action.
Jada scored 87 points and Marcus scored 64 points. How many more points did Jada score?
87 - 64 = 23 more points.