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GRADE 3   /   WORD PROBLEMS

Two-step multiplication word problems

Four stories on one sheet. Find the missing first amount, use it in the next equation and check whether the answer makes sense.

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4 problems · separate worked answers · free PDF

Mixed two-step review · US Letter

Student sheet PDF ↓Worked key PDF ↓Both pages PDF ↓

WORK THROUGH A STORY

Solve a two-step problem

STORY 1 OF 4

There are 3 activity rooms. Each room has 4 tables and each table has 3 chairs. How many chairs are in the rooms altogether?

Write down what you need to know before you can answer the question. Give that amount a name and a unit.

WORKED EXAMPLE

What changes in each group?

Each of 6 bags holds 3 striped shells and 4 plain shells. How many shells are in the bags?

  1. One bag holds 3 + 4 = 7 shells.
  2. Let n be the total. n = (3 + 4) × 6 = 42 shells.
  3. Each bag holds between 5 and 10 shells. Six bags must hold between 30 and 60 shells. The answer 42 fits.

If only one loose shell were added to the whole collection, it would be added once, after counting all the groups.

TEACHING NOTES

Choose the next problem set

Mixed two-step review
Decide which quantity to find first in four different situations.
Add or subtract with multiplication
Work out whether the change happens to every group or just once.
Multiply twice
Count groups inside groups. Compare two ways to reach the same total.
Multiply and divide
Choose between sharing a total and finding an amount per group.

These multiplication-based tasks practise part of 3.OA.D.8. For a one-step starting point, use equal-group word problems.

All original printable sheets · Letter and A4
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