Mathematics
Grade 5
15 min
Multi-step word problems
Multi-step word problems
Tutorial Preview
1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify the individual steps required to solve a complex word problem.
Translate a word problem into a sequence of mathematical operations.
Perform calculations involving decimals, fractions, and whole numbers to solve multi-step problems.
Determine the 'hidden question' that must be answered before finding the final solution.
Write a final answer that includes the correct units and clearly addresses the original question.
Check their answer for reasonableness in the context of the problem.
Ever planned a pizza party and had to figure out how many pizzas to buy, how much it would cost, AND how to split the bill with friends? 🍕 That's a multi-step problem!
In this tutorial, you will learn how to break down tricky word problems into smalle...
2
Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Multi-Step Word ProblemA math problem presented in a story format that requires more than one mathematical operation (like addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division) to solve.You buy 3 notebooks for $2.50 each and a pen for $1.75. If you pay with a $10 bill, how much change do you get? (This requires multiplication and then subtraction).
Hidden QuestionA question that you need to answer first before you can solve the main question in the problem. It's the first step in the puzzle.In the problem above, the hidden question is 'What is the total cost of the notebooks?' You must answer this before you can find the change.
OperationA mathematical action. The four basic operations are addition (+), subtraction (-), multiplication (×), and division (...
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Core Formulas
The 4-Step Problem-Solving Plan
1. Understand -> 2. Plan -> 3. Solve -> 4. Check
Use this structured approach for any word problem. First, read and understand what is being asked. Second, make a plan by identifying the steps and operations. Third, perform the calculations. Finally, check if your answer is correct and makes sense.
Order of Operations (PEMDAS)
P (Parentheses) -> E (Exponents) -> MD (Multiplication and Division from left to right) -> AS (Addition and Subtraction from left to right)
When a single calculation has multiple operations, you must follow this order to get the correct answer. This is critical for combining steps into one equation.
4 more steps in this tutorial
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Challenging
At a farmer's market, apples cost $2.40 per pound and bananas cost $0.60 per pound. A chef buys 3.5 pounds of apples and 2.5 pounds of bananas for a fruit salad. If the chef pays with a $20 bill, how much change should she receive?
A.$8.40
B.$9.90
C.$10.10
D.$1.50
Challenging
A large water jug contains 5 gallons of water. A sports team drinks 1/2 of the water during the first half of a game. During the second half, they drink 1/2 of the REMAINING water. How much water is left in the jug at the end of the game?
A.2.5 gallons
B.1.25 gallons
C.0 gallons
D.1.5 gallons
Challenging
Chen has $50. He buys a video game for $29.99 and a snack for $3.50. He wants to buy some comic books that cost $4.00 each with the remaining money. What is the maximum number of comic books Chen can buy?
A.4
B.5
C.3
D.16
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