Word problems that practice basic math skills use important Spanish verbs to express the problem that children need to solve. Problems to practice addition and subtraction use the verbs tener (to have), faltar (to be missing), quedar (to be left), and sobrar (to be left over) to ask for information. Of course, simple arithmetic problems are also a good way to review numbers in Spanish.
This set of problems is meant for native Spanish speakers, but if your child has mastered the arithmetic, these problems are a good way to expose her to Spanish in a familiar context. Your child will probably not understand all of the words in the problem, but encourage her to try to solve the problem with the information and knowledge that she has. She will be able to predict the meaning of the verb and the problem that she needs to solve. These word problems have multiple choice answers and children get feedback on their answer immediately.
Click here for math problems in Spanish. Click on Problemas de sumar y restar to go the addition and subtraction problems.
The problems use the verbs tener (to have), faltar (to be missing), quedar (to be left), and sobrar (to be left over) in questions like these:
¿Cuántos me faltan para tener 30?/ How many more do I need (how many am I missing) to have 30?
¿Cuántas puertas le quedan por pintar ? / How many doors does he have left to paint?
¿Cuántas patatas me quedan por pelar? / How many potatoes do I have left to peel?
¿Cuántos sobrarán ? / How many are left over?
¿Cuántas gallinas quedarán en el corral?/ How many hens are left in the corral?
These are other verbs that are used in the problems:
These are other verbs that are used in the problems:
perder – to lose
regalar – to give (as a gift)
vender – to sell
matar – to kill
tirar – to throw away
repartir – to distribute
