Curriculum › Grade 4 › Mathematics

Multi-Step Word Problems

  • Grade 4
  • Mathematics
  • 4.OA.A.3
  • Operations & Algebraic Thinking
  • Free lesson

Aligned to 4.OA.A.3 — Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.

What this lesson teaches

Read carefully, decide what each number means, and plan the operations in order. Estimate first so you can check if your final answer is reasonable.

Worked examples

Example 1

A class buys 6 boxes of 24 markers and shares them equally among 4 tables. Markers total: 6×24=144. Per table: 144÷4 = 36 markers.

Example 2

A bus holds 48 riders. A school needs to move 250 students. 250 ÷ 48 = 5 with 10 left over, so they need 6 buses — the remainder still needs a seat.

Example 3

A store sells 3 shirts for $12 each and 2 hats for $7 each. Shirts: 3×12 = 36. Hats: 2×7 = 14. Total: 36 + 14 = $50.

Practice questions

  1. Tickets cost $8. A family buys 5 and uses a $10 coupon. What's the total?
  2. You read 27 pages Monday and 35 Tuesday, aiming for 100. How many left?

Watch the lesson

Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.

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En español

Problemas de Varios Pasos

Lee con cuidado, decide qué significa cada número y planea las operaciones en orden. Primero estima para que puedas verificar si tu respuesta final es razonable.

Ejemplo 1: Un grupo compra 6 cajas de 24 marcadores y los reparte en partes iguales entre 4 mesas. Total de marcadores: 6×24=144. Por mesa: 144÷4 = 36 marcadores.

Ejemplo 2: Un autobús lleva 48 pasajeros. Una escuela debe mover 250 estudiantes. 250 ÷ 48 = 5 y sobran 10, así que necesitan 6 autobuses — los que sobran también necesitan asiento.

Ejemplo 3: Una tienda vende 3 camisas de $12 cada una y 2 gorras de $7 cada una. Camisas: 3×12 = 36. Gorras: 2×7 = 14. Total: 36 + 14 = $50.

More Operations & Algebraic Thinking lessons

Multi-Digit Multiplication with Partial Products4.NBT.B.5Factors, Multiples, and Patterns4.OA.B.4Times as Many: Multiplication as Comparison4.OA.A.1Word Problems with Times as Many4.OA.A.2Number and Shape Patterns4.OA.C.5

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