Mathematics
Grade 3
15 min
Multiply one-digit numbers by three-digit numbers: word problems
Multiply one-digit numbers by three-digit numbers: word problems
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify the key numbers and question in a multiplication word problem.
Translate a word problem into a multiplication equation (e.g., 3 x 125).
Use the standard algorithm to multiply a one-digit number by a three-digit number with regrouping.
Apply the partial products strategy to solve multiplication problems.
By the end of of this lesson, students will be able to write a final answer that includes the correct units (e.g., '375 cookies').
Explain what the product means in the context of the word problem.
If a giant cookie has 125 chocolate chips, how many chips would be in 4 of those giant cookies? 🍪 Let's find out!
In this lesson, we will become math detectives! We will learn how to read story problems, find the important number clues,...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Word ProblemA math question written as a story or a real-life situation that you need to solve.A school has 3 buses. Each bus can hold 115 students. How many students can ride the buses in total?
FactorThe numbers that are multiplied together in a multiplication problem.In the problem 4 x 125, the numbers 4 and 125 are the factors.
ProductThe answer you get when you multiply factors together.In 4 x 125 = 500, the number 500 is the product.
Regrouping (or Carrying)When the product in one place value column is 10 or more, you move the tens digit to the next column to be added later.In 145 x 3, when you multiply 3 x 5 = 15, you write down the 5 and regroup the 1 (one ten) to the tens place.
EquationA number sentence that uses an equal sign (=) to show that two amounts a...
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Core Formulas
Standard Multiplication Algorithm
1. Multiply the ones. Regroup if needed.
2. Multiply the tens and add the regrouped number. Regroup if needed.
3. Multiply the hundreds and add the regrouped number.
This is a step-by-step way to solve multiplication problems. Always work from right to left, starting with the ones place.
Partial Products Method
a \times (b+c+d) = (a \times b) + (a \times c) + (a \times d)
Break the three-digit number into its expanded form (e.g., 254 becomes 200 + 50 + 4). Multiply the one-digit number by each part, then add all the partial products together to find the total.
Repeated Addition Check
a \times b = b + b + ... + b (a \text{ times})
Multiplication is a shortcut for repeated addition. You can use this to understand what a problem means....
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Challenging
A school is planning a field trip. There are 275 students in the school. The school buses they can rent each hold 85 students. If they rent 3 buses, will there be enough seats for all the students?
A.Yes, because 3 x 85 is more than 275.
B.No, because 3 x 85 is less than 275.
C.Yes, because 275 - 85 is less than 3.
D.No, because 275 + 3 is more than 85.
Challenging
Who read more pages? Maria read 4 books that each had 215 pages. David read 5 books that each had 168 pages.
A.Maria read more pages.
B.David read more pages.
C.They read the same number of pages.
D.There is not enough information to answer.
Challenging
A student tried to solve 7 x 345 using partial products. Their work is shown below. Which line has a mistake?
Line 1: 7 x 5 = 35
Line 2: 7 x 40 = 280
Line 3: 7 x 30 = 210
Line 4: Total = 525
A.Line 1 is wrong.
B.Line 2 is wrong.
C.Line 3 is wrong.
D.Line 4 is wrong.
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