Question

Do you have to subtarct or add if borrowing in a word problem

Answer 1

You subtract

Explanation:

Given

Borrowing Word Problem

Required

Do you add or subtract?

Take the following illustration as a point of reference:

You have 5 pens. Your friend borrowed 2 pens. How many pens do you have left?

From above:

Initially, you have 5

you lend your friend 2

Then, you have: (5 - 2) left

i.e. 3 pens left

In conclusion, you have to subtract