Which of the following terms is a clue word for addition?

• A. Quotient
• B. Combined
• C. Fewer than
• D. Decreased

Answer: (B)

The term “combined” serves as a clue word for addition because it indicates the action of bringing two or more quantities together to form a total or a larger quantity. When you see "combined" in a problem, it suggests that you need to add the amounts specified. For example, if you combine 3 apples with 2 apples, you are finding the total number of apples, which is 5 (3 + 2 = 5).

In contrast, the other terms represent different mathematical operations. "Quotient" refers to the result of division, “fewer than” implies subtraction, and “decreased” also indicates a reduction in quantity, which points towards subtraction as well. Thus, "combined" uniquely highlights the addition process, making it the correct answer.