Question Video: Identifying the Appropriate Expression for Addition and Subtraction Word Problems

Video Transcript

Liam was trying to sell his 62 toy cars in a yard sale. He sold 12 to one of his friends. And later, he sold 18 to one of his neighbors. Which expression tells you how many toy cars he has left to sell? 62 minus 12 minus 18, or 62 plus 12 plus 18, or 62 minus 12, 12 plus 18, or 62 minus 18?

Let’s find the key numbers from the question. We know Liam had 62 cars to begin with. Then he sold 12. That means he has 12 less. And later, he sold another 18. So the expression which tells us how many toy cars he has left to sell is 62 minus 12 minus 18.