Solved Exercises on Simple Problems with Simple Solutions in Grade 1

Master simple problems with simple solutions: straightforward money operations and easy-to-follow problem-solving strategies.

Simple Problem Concepts & Strategies
🧮 SIMPLIFY → SOLVE → VERIFY
Simple Solution Process
Key Definitions:

Simple Problem: A math problem that can be solved with one or two easy steps

Simple Solution: A solution that uses basic operations and clear logic

Problem-Solving: The process of finding answers to mathematical questions

Money Problem: A problem involving coins, bills, and monetary transactions

Simple Solution Method:
  1. Read Carefully: Understand what the problem is asking
  2. Find Important Info: Identify the numbers and what to do
  3. Choose Operation: Decide to add, subtract, or count
  4. Solve Simply: Do the math step by step
  5. Check Answer: Make sure it makes sense
Simple Solution Workflow
1
READ
2
FIND
3
CHOOSE
4
SOLVE
5
CHECK
Tip 1: Look for clue words like "more", "total", "left", or "change".
Tip 2: Use your fingers or draw dots to help count.
Tip 3: Always check if your answer makes sense in real life.
Tip 4: Use real coins to practice and understand better.
Solution: Exercises 1 to 3
1 Simple Counting Problem
Exercise 1
👧
Anna has 3 dimes. How much money does Anna have?
Key Information:

Coins: 3 dimes

Value: Dime = 10¢

Operation: Simple counting/multiplication

Goal: Find total value of dimes

Simple Solution Steps:
  1. Read: Anna has 3 dimes
  2. Find: Dime = 10¢
  3. Choose: Multiply number of dimes by value
  4. Solve: 3 × 10¢ = 30¢
  5. Check: 30¢ is reasonable for 3 dimes
Step 1: Identify coin value

1 dime = 10¢

Step 2: Count the dimes

Anna has: 3 dimes

Step 3: Multiply

3 × 10¢ = 30¢

Step 4: Express in dollars

30¢ = $0.30

Anna has 30¢ or $0.30
Final answer:

Anna has 30¢ or $0.30

Applied rules:

• Multiplication: Number of coins × Value per coin

• Simple Math: 3 × 10 = 30

• Verification: Answer is reasonable

2 Simple Addition Problem
Exercise 2
👦
Ben has 20¢. His sister gives him 15¢. How much money does Ben have now?
Key Information:

Starting Amount: 20¢

Additional Amount: 15¢

Operation: Simple addition

Goal: Find total amount after receiving more money

Step 1: Identify starting amount

Ben starts with: 20¢

Step 2: Identify additional amount

Ben receives: 15¢

Step 3: Add the amounts

20¢ + 15¢ = 35¢

Step 4: Express in dollars

35¢ = $0.35

Ben has 35¢ or $0.35 now
Final answer:

Ben has 35¢ or $0.35 now

Applied rules:

• Addition: When combining amounts

• Same Units: Both amounts in cents

• Simple Math: 20 + 15 = 35

3 Simple Subtraction Problem
Exercise 3
👧
Emma had 50¢. She spent 30¢ on candy. How much money does Emma have left?
Key Information:

Starting Amount: 50¢

Amount Spent: 30¢

Operation: Simple subtraction

Goal: Find remaining amount after spending

Step 1: Identify starting amount

Emma starts with: 50¢

Step 2: Identify amount spent

Emma spent: 30¢

Step 3: Subtract

50¢ - 30¢ = 20¢

Step 4: Express in dollars

20¢ = $0.20

Emma has 20¢ or $0.20 left
Final answer:

Emma has 20¢ or $0.20 left

Applied rules:

• Subtraction: When taking away amounts

• Same Units: Both amounts in cents

• Simple Math: 50 - 30 = 20

Solution: Exercises 4 to 5
4 Simple Comparison Problem
Exercise 4
👦
Tom has 45¢.
👧
Sarah has 35¢. Who has more money and how much more?
Key Information:

Tom's Money: 45¢

Sarah's Money: 35¢

Questions: Who has more? How much more?

Operations: Simple comparison and subtraction

Goal: Compare amounts and find difference

Step 1: Compare the amounts

Tom: 45¢, Sarah: 35¢

45¢ > 35¢

Step 2: Calculate the difference

45¢ - 35¢ = 10¢

Step 3: Answer both parts

Tom has more money

Tom has 10¢ more than Sarah

Step 4: Express in dollars

10¢ = $0.10

Tom has more money by 10¢
Final answer:

Tom has more money by 10¢

Applied rules:

• Comparison: Compare values to determine greater amount

• Subtraction: Find difference between amounts

• Simple Math: 45 - 35 = 10

5 Simple Multi-Step Problem
Exercise 5
👧
Lisa started with 60¢. She spent 20¢ on stickers. Then her mom gave her 10¢. How much money does Lisa have now?
Key Information:

Starting Amount: 60¢

Amount Spent: 20¢

Amount Received: 10¢

Operations: Subtraction then addition (simple sequence)

Goal: Find final amount after all transactions

Step 1: Start with initial amount

Lisa starts with: 60¢

Step 2: Subtract amount spent

60¢ - 20¢ = 40¢

Step 3: Add amount received

40¢ + 10¢ = 50¢

Step 4: Express in dollars

50¢ = $0.50

Lisa has 50¢ or $0.50 now
Final answer:

Lisa has 50¢ or $0.50 now

Applied rules:

• Sequential Operations: Follow events in order

• Simple Math: 60 - 20 + 10 = 50

• Verification: Final amount is reasonable

Questions & Answers

Question: Sometimes I get confused about whether to add or subtract. How can I figure it out easily?

Answer: Here are simple ways to decide:

  • Add when: Something is being gained, received, or combined ("more", "total", "altogether")
  • Subtract when: Something is being taken away, spent, or left ("less", "spent", "left", "change")
  • Think: "Am I getting more or losing some?"
  • Look for words: "gets", "finds", "receives" = add; "spends", "loses", "uses" = subtract

Example: "I have 10¢ and get 5¢ more" → Add (10 + 5 = 15¢)
"I have 10¢ and spend 3¢" → Subtract (10 - 3 = 7¢)

Question: My child struggles with multi-step problems. How can I make them simpler?

Answer: Break multi-step problems into simple parts:

  1. Read slowly: Go through the problem one sentence at a time
  2. Draw pictures: Sketch what happens in each step
  3. Solve one step at a time: Don't try to do everything at once
  4. Check each step: Make sure the first part makes sense before continuing
  5. Use objects: Use coins or counters to act out the problem

Example: "Start with 50¢, spend 20¢, get 10¢"
Step 1: 50¢ - 20¢ = 30¢
Step 2: 30¢ + 10¢ = 40¢

Question: What are the most important skills for solving simple money problems?

Answer: Essential skills for simple money problems:

  • Coin Recognition: Know the value of penny (1¢), nickel (5¢), dime (10¢), quarter (25¢)
  • Basic Addition: Add small amounts up to 100¢
  • Basic Subtraction: Subtract small amounts up to 100¢
  • Problem-Solving: Identify what the problem is asking
  • Number Sense: Understand that 100¢ = $1.00
  • Reading Skills: Understand key words like "total", "left", "more", "change"

Focus on building these foundational skills before moving to more complex problems.