Solved Exercises on Money Word Problems with Solutions in Grade 3

Master money word problems with complete solutions: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division through these 5 detailed exercises.

Solution: Exercises 1 to 3
1 Addition Solution
Exercise 1
Problem: Sarah has $4.25 in her piggy bank. Her mom gives her $3.75 more. How much money does Sarah have now?
Definition:

Complete solution: A thorough answer that includes the problem analysis, calculation, and final answer

Problem-Solving Method:
  1. Read the problem carefully
  2. Identify the amounts to add
  3. Align decimal points
  4. Add the amounts column by column
  5. Write the complete answer with units
Starting Amount
$4.25
Additional Amount
+$3.75
Total
$8.00
Step 1: Identify the amounts

Sarah starts with $4.25 and gets $3.75 more

Step 2: Set up the addition

$4.25 + $3.75

Step 3: Add the cents

25 cents + 75 cents = 100 cents = $1.00

Step 4: Add the dollars

$4 + $3 + $1 (carried over) = $8

Step 5: Write the complete answer

Sarah has $8.00

Sarah has $8.00
Complete Solution:

Problem: Sarah has $4.25 and receives $3.75 more.

Calculation: $4.25 + $3.75 = $8.00

Answer: Sarah has $8.00 in total.

Applied rules:

• Decimal alignment: Align decimal points when adding money

• Carrying: When cents exceed 99, carry to dollars

• Complete solution: Include problem, calculation, and final answer

🐷
$4.25
Start
➕
+$3.75
Added
✅
$8.00
Total
2 Subtraction Solution
Exercise 2
Problem: Tom had $10.00. He spent $4.75 on a book. How much money does he have left?
Definition:

Subtraction solution: Finding the remaining amount after spending money

Starting Amount
$10.00
Amount Spent
-$4.75
Remaining
$5.25
Step 1: Identify the starting amount

Tom starts with $10.00

Step 2: Identify the amount spent

He spent $4.75 on a book

Step 3: Set up the subtraction

$10.00 - $4.75

Step 4: Subtract the cents

Since 0 < 5, borrow from tenths: 10 - 5 = 5 cents

Step 5: Subtract the tenths

Since we borrowed, 9 - 7 = 2 tenths

Step 6: Subtract the dollars

Since we borrowed from tens, 9 - 4 = 5 dollars

Step 7: Write the complete answer

Tom has $5.25 left

Tom has $5.25 left
Complete Solution:

Problem: Tom had $10.00 and spent $4.75 on a book.

Calculation: $10.00 - $4.75 = $5.25

Answer: Tom has $5.25 left.

Applied rules:

• Decimal alignment: Align decimal points when subtracting

• Borrowing: When top digit is smaller, borrow from next place value

• Complete solution: Include problem, calculation, and final answer

$10.00
-
$4.75
=
$5.25
3 Multiplication Solution
Exercise 3
Problem: Emma bought 4 notebooks that cost $1.25 each. How much did she spend in total?
Definition:

Multiplication solution: Finding the total cost when there are multiple identical items

Number of Items
4
Cost Per Item
× $1.25
Total Cost
$5.00
Step 1: Identify the number of items

Emma bought 4 notebooks

Step 2: Identify the cost per item

Each notebook costs $1.25

Step 3: Set up the multiplication

4 × $1.25

Step 4: Multiply the dollars

4 × $1.00 = $4.00

Step 5: Multiply the cents

4 × $0.25 = $1.00

Step 6: Add the partial products

$4.00 + $1.00 = $5.00

Step 7: Write the complete answer

Emma spent $5.00 in total

Emma spent $5.00 in total
Complete Solution:

Problem: Emma bought 4 notebooks at $1.25 each.

Calculation: 4 × $1.25 = $5.00

Answer: Emma spent $5.00 in total.

Applied rules:

• Unit pricing: Multiply quantity by unit price

• Distribution: Multiply dollars and cents separately

• Complete solution: Include problem, calculation, and final answer

📓
4 notebooks
Quantity
🏷️
$1.25 each
Price
💰
$5.00
Total
Complete Solution Format and Rules
Total = Unit Price × Quantity
Multiplication Formula
Solution Component
Problem
Restate the question
Solution Component
Calculation
Show the math
Solution Component
Result
Final answer
Solution Component
Units
Include $ sign
Key definitions:

Complete solution: A thorough answer that includes the problem context, calculation, and final result

Problem restatement: Repeating the question in your solution

Calculation explanation: Showing the mathematical steps taken

Final result: The numerical answer with appropriate units

Complete Solution Format:
  1. Read the problem: Understand what is being asked
  2. Solve the math: Perform the necessary calculations
  3. Restate the problem: Begin your solution by addressing the question
  4. Include the calculation: Show the mathematical process
  5. Provide the result: Give the final answer with units
  6. Check completeness: Ensure all parts of the solution are present
Tip 1: Always include the dollar sign ($) in your final answer.
Tip 2: Restate the problem in your solution to ensure you're addressing it directly.
Tip 3: Show your work by including the calculation in your solution.
Tip 4: Verify your answer makes sense in the real-world context.
Common errors: Forgetting dollar signs, incomplete solutions, misaligned decimals.
Practice areas: Complete solution format, decimal alignment, problem-solving steps.
Problem Restatement: Address the original question
Calculation: Show the mathematical steps
Final Answer: Include the result with units
Verification: Check that answer makes sense
Remaining = Starting Amount - Amount Spent
Subtraction Formula
Solution: Exercises 4 to 5
4 Division Solution
Exercise 4
Problem: Jake earned $12.00 from his allowance. He wants to share it equally among 4 weeks. How much can he spend each week?
Definition:

Division solution: Finding the equal share when dividing a total amount

Total Amount
$12.00
Number of Weeks
÷ 4
Per Week
$3.00
Step 1: Identify the total amount

Jake earned $12.00

Step 2: Identify the number of weeks

He wants to share among 4 weeks

Step 3: Set up the division

$12.00 ÷ 4

Step 4: Divide the dollars

$12 ÷ 4 = $3.00

Step 5: Verify the answer

4 × $3.00 = $12.00 ✓

Step 6: Write the complete solution

Jake can spend $3.00 each week

Jake can spend $3.00 each week
Complete Solution:

Problem: Jake earned $12.00 and wants to share equally among 4 weeks.

Calculation: $12.00 ÷ 4 = $3.00 per week

Answer: Jake can spend $3.00 each week.

Applied rules:

• Equal sharing: Divide total by number of shares

• Verification: Multiply back to check answer

• Complete solution: Include problem, calculation, and final answer

💰
$12.00
Total
📅
÷ 4 weeks
Divide
🏷️
$3.00
Each
5 Comparison Solution
Exercise 5
Problem: Lisa has $8.50 and Mark has $5.25. How much more money does Lisa have than Mark?
Definition:

Comparison solution: Finding the difference between two amounts

Lisa's Amount
$8.50
Mark's Amount
- $5.25
Difference
$3.25
Step 1: Identify the larger amount

Lisa has $8.50 (the larger amount)

Step 2: Identify the smaller amount

Mark has $5.25 (the smaller amount)

Step 3: Set up the subtraction

$8.50 - $5.25

Step 4: Subtract the cents

50 - 25 = 25 cents

Step 5: Subtract the dollars

8 - 5 = 3 dollars

Step 6: Combine the results

$3.25

Step 7: Write the complete solution

Lisa has $3.25 more than Mark

Lisa has $3.25 more than Mark
Complete Solution:

Problem: Lisa has $8.50 and Mark has $5.25. Find the difference.

Calculation: $8.50 - $5.25 = $3.25

Answer: Lisa has $3.25 more than Mark.

Applied rules:

• Comparison: Subtract smaller amount from larger

• Decimal alignment: Align decimal points when subtracting

• Complete solution: Include problem, calculation, and final answer

👩
$8.50
Lisa
❓
More than?
Compare
👨
$5.25
Mark
💰
$3.25
Difference
Money Word Problems with Complete Solutions Summary
Comprehensive Summary of Complete Solutions
Definitions of Key Concepts:

Complete solution: A thorough answer that addresses the question, shows the calculation, and provides the final result with units.

Problem restatement: Beginning your solution by addressing the original question directly.

Calculation explanation: Showing the mathematical steps taken to solve the problem.

Final result: The numerical answer with appropriate units and context.

Verification: Checking that your answer makes sense and is mathematically correct.

Core Rules and Principles:

• Include all components: Problem context, calculation, and final answer.

• Decimal alignment: Always align decimal points when performing operations.

• Units matter: Include dollar signs and proper monetary units.

• Verification: Check your answer makes sense in the real-world context.

Step-by-Step Methods:

1. Read carefully: Understand what the problem is asking.

2. Solve mathematically: Perform the necessary calculations.

3. Restate the problem: Begin your solution by addressing the question.

4. Show calculation: Include the mathematical process.

5. Provide result: Give the final answer with proper units.

6. Verify: Check that your answer makes sense.

Examples from Simple to Advanced:

Simple Addition: "John has $2 and gets $3 more. How much?" → "John has $5 total: $2 + $3 = $5"

Simple Subtraction: "Sarah had $10 and spent $4. How much left?" → "Sarah has $6 left: $10 - $4 = $6"

Simple Multiplication: "3 items at $2 each. Total cost?" → "Total cost is $6: 3 × $2 = $6"

Simple Division: "$12 shared equally among 4 people. Each gets?" → "Each person gets $3: $12 ÷ 4 = $3"

Tips and Tricks:

• Always restate: Begin your solution by addressing the original question.

• Show work: Include the mathematical steps in your solution.

• Check units: Ensure your answer includes proper monetary units.

• Estimate first: Round numbers to estimate your answer before calculating precisely.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid:

• Forgetting to include the dollar sign in the final answer

• Providing only the numerical result without context

• Not showing the calculation process

• Failing to align decimal points when performing operations

Key Takeaways for Memorization:

• A complete solution includes problem context, calculation, and final result

• Always include the dollar sign in monetary answers

• Align decimal points when adding or subtracting money

• Verify your answer makes sense in the real-world context

Complete Solution = Problem + Calculation + Result
Complete Solution Formula
📝
Restate
Problem
📊
Show
Work
✅
Give
Answer
🔍
Check
Reasonable

Questions & Answers

Question: What makes a solution "complete" in money word problems?

Answer: A complete solution includes four key components:

  • Problem restatement: Address the original question directly
  • Calculation shown: Include the mathematical steps taken
  • Final result: The numerical answer with proper units
  • Verification: Confirmation that the answer makes sense

Example: Instead of just "$8", say "Sarah has $8 total: $5 + $3 = $8"

Question: Why is it important to include the calculation in my solution?

Answer: Including the calculation is important for several reasons:

  • Shows understanding: Demonstrates you know how to solve the problem
  • Allows error checking: Helps teachers identify where mistakes occur
  • Builds confidence: Reinforces the mathematical process
  • Develops habits: Prepares you for more complex problems later

Example: "The answer is $6 because 3 × $2 = $6"

Question: How can I check if my money word problem solution is reasonable?

Answer: There are several ways to check reasonableness:

  • Estimate first: Round numbers to estimate your answer
  • Check units: Ensure your answer has the correct monetary units
  • Reverse calculation: Add, subtract, or multiply backwards to verify
  • Real-world context: Ask if the answer makes sense in the problem's situation

Example: If you spend $5 from $10, the answer should be less than $10.