Mathematics
Grade 3
15 min
Multiplication word problems
Multiplication word problems
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify the key information in a multiplication word problem.
Translate a word problem into a multiplication equation.
Use drawings, such as arrays or equal groups, to model a multiplication problem.
Solve single-step multiplication word problems.
Write a complete answer that includes the correct units (e.g., '15 cookies').
Explain why multiplication is the correct operation to solve a given problem involving equal groups.
If you have 4 boxes and each box holds 6 crayons, how many crayons do you have in all? 🖍️ Let's find out how multiplication helps us solve puzzles like this!
In this tutorial, we will learn how to read story problems and figure out when to use multiplication. This is a very important skill because it helps us use math t...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
MultiplicationA fast way to do repeated addition. It's used when you have equal groups of something and want to find the total.Instead of adding 5 + 5 + 5, you can multiply 3 × 5 = 15.
FactorsThe numbers that are being multiplied together in a multiplication problem.In the equation 4 × 6 = 24, the numbers 4 and 6 are the factors.
ProductThe answer you get when you multiply two or more factors.In the equation 4 × 6 = 24, the number 24 is the product.
Equal GroupsGroups that have the exact same number of items in them. This is a big clue that you need to multiply!3 bags with 7 apples in each bag are equal groups.
ArrayAn arrangement of objects, pictures, or numbers in rows and columns. Arrays are a great way to visualize a multiplication problem.An egg carton with...
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Core Formulas
The Equal Groups Formula
\text{Number of Groups} \times \text{Number in Each Group} = \text{Total}
Use this formula when the word problem describes a number of groups, and each group has the same number of items. This helps you set up your equation correctly.
The Array Formula
\text{Number of Rows} \times \text{Number of Columns} = \text{Total}
Use this when a problem describes objects arranged in a grid, like chairs in a theater, tiles on a floor, or stamps on a page.
Commutative Property of Multiplication
a \times b = b \times a
This rule means you can switch the order of the factors and still get the same product. For example, 3 groups of 4 is the same total as 4 groups of 3 (3 × 4 = 4 × 3).
4 more steps in this tutorial
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Challenging
The equation 7 × 5 = 35 represents the total number of items. Which story problem could be solved using this equation?
A.There are 7 blue birds and 5 red birds on a wire. How many birds are there?
B.girl has 35 stickers and gives 5 away. How many are left?
C.boy has 7 pages in his sticker book. He puts 5 stickers on each page. What is the total number of stickers?
D.pizza is cut into 7 slices. 5 people share the pizza.
Challenging
A tricycle has 3 wheels. A bicycle has 2 wheels. If there are 9 tricycles in a park, which equation correctly finds the total number of wheels on just the tricycles?
A.9 + 3 = 12 wheels
B.9 × 2 = 18 wheels
C.9 × 3 = 27 wheels
D.3 + 2 = 5 wheels
Challenging
Maria baked 5 trays with 8 cookies on each. Leo planted 8 rows of seeds with 5 seeds in each row. Which statement is true?
A.Maria has more items because cookies are bigger than seeds.
B.Leo has more items because 8 is more than 5.
C.They both have the same total number of items (40).
D.We cannot tell who has more without more information.
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