Solved Exercises on Two-Step Word Problems Using Four Operations in Grade 3

Master two-step word problems: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division through these 5 detailed exercises.

Solution: Exercises 1 to 3
1 Multiplication then Addition
Exercise 1
Emma has 4 boxes of crayons. Each box contains 8 crayons. Her friend gives her 5 more crayons. How many crayons does Emma have now?
Definition:

Two-step problem: A problem requiring two different operations to solve

Problem-solving steps:
  1. Read the problem carefully and identify what is being asked
  2. Find the important numbers and operations needed
  3. Decide the order of operations (what to do first)
  4. Solve the first step, then the second step
  5. Check if the answer makes sense
Step 1
4 × 8 = 32
Step 2
32 + 5 = 37
Step 1: Find total crayons in boxes

Emma has 4 boxes with 8 crayons each

Total crayons in boxes = 4 × 8 = 32 crayons

Step 2: Add extra crayons

Her friend gives her 5 more crayons

Total crayons = 32 + 5 = 37 crayons

Step 3: Verify the answer

Start with 4 boxes of 8 crayons = 32

Add 5 more crayons = 32 + 5 = 37

Answer is reasonable

Emma has 37 crayons now
Final answer:

Emma has 37 crayons now

Applied rules:

• Keywords: "boxes of" indicates multiplication

• Addition: "more" indicates adding to the total

• Verification: Check answer makes logical sense

2 Subtraction then Division
Exercise 2
Jake had 28 stickers. He gave 4 stickers to his sister. Then he shared the remaining stickers equally among 6 friends. How many stickers did each friend get?
Definition:

Division: Splitting a number into equal groups

Step 1
28 - 4 = 24
Step 2
24 ÷ 6 = 4
Step 1: Find remaining stickers

Jake had 28 stickers, gave away 4

Remaining stickers = 28 - 4 = 24 stickers

Step 2: Share equally among friends

24 stickers shared among 6 friends

Stickers per friend = 24 ÷ 6 = 4 stickers

Step 3: Verify the answer

Start with 28 stickers

Give away 4 → 28 - 4 = 24

Share 24 among 6 → 24 ÷ 6 = 4 each

Answer is reasonable

Each friend gets 4 stickers
Final answer:

Each friend gets 4 stickers

Applied rules:

• Subtraction first: Find what remains after giving away

• Division second: Split remainder into equal parts

• Keywords: "shared equally" indicates division

3 Addition then Multiplication
Exercise 3
A school has 5 classrooms. Each classroom has 6 tables. The principal orders 3 more tables for each classroom. How many tables are there in total now?
Definition:

Multiplication: Repeated addition of equal groups

Step 1
5 × 6 = 30
Step 2
5 × 3 = 15
Step 3
30 + 15 = 45
Step 1: Find original tables

5 classrooms with 6 tables each

Original tables = 5 × 6 = 30 tables

Step 2: Find new tables ordered

3 more tables for each of 5 classrooms

New tables = 5 × 3 = 15 tables

Step 3: Find total tables

Total tables = Original + New = 30 + 15 = 45 tables

Step 4: Verify the answer

Each classroom originally had 6 tables

Now each has 6 + 3 = 9 tables

Total = 5 × 9 = 45 tables

Answer is reasonable

There are 45 tables in total now
Final answer:

There are 45 tables in total now

Applied rules:

• Two multiplications: One for original, one for new

• Addition: Combine original and new totals

• Alternative approach: (6 + 3) × 5 = 45

Operations and Problem-Solving Guide
Total = (Groups × Items per group) ± Extra
General Two-Step Pattern
Addition (+)
+
Combine quantities together
Subtraction (-)
−
Take away or find difference
Multiplication (×)
×
Repeated addition of equal groups
Division (÷)
÷
Split into equal groups
Multiply then Add
Find total in groups, then add extra
Multiply then Subtract
Find total in groups, then take away
Divide then Add
Split quantity, then add something
Subtract then Divide
Take away first, then share equally
Strategy 1: Circle Important Numbers
Circle all the numbers in the problem to keep track of them.
Strategy 2: Underline Keywords
Underline words that tell you which operation to use.
Order: Follow the story sequence
Operation Priority
(Total ÷ Groups) = Items per group
Division Relationship
Solution: Exercises 4 to 5
4 Multiplication then Division
Exercise 4
A farmer has 3 fields. Each field has 9 apple trees. He wants to plant the same number of apple trees in each of 3 new fields. How many trees will he plant in each new field?
Definition:

Equal distribution: Sharing a total amount into equal parts

Step 1
3 × 9 = 27
Step 2
27 ÷ 3 = 9
Step 1: Find total apple trees

Farmer has 3 fields with 9 trees each

Total trees = 3 × 9 = 27 trees

Step 2: Distribute equally to new fields

27 trees to be planted in 3 new fields equally

Trees per new field = 27 ÷ 3 = 9 trees

Step 3: Verify the answer

Original: 3 × 9 = 27 trees

Distribute: 27 ÷ 3 = 9 trees per field

Same number as original fields!

Answer is reasonable

He will plant 9 trees in each new field
Final answer:

He will plant 9 trees in each new field

Applied rules:

• Multiplication first: Find total number of items

• Division second: Share equally among groups

• Keywords: "same number" and "equally" indicate division

5 Mixed Operations
Exercise 5
A store has 6 shelves of books. Each shelf holds 8 books. The store sold 15 books and then arranged the remaining books equally on 3 tables. How many books are on each table?
Definition:

Multi-step problem: Requires multiple operations in sequence

Step 1
6 × 8 = 48
Step 2
48 - 15 = 33
Step 3
33 ÷ 3 = 11
Step 1: Find total books initially

6 shelves with 8 books each

Total books = 6 × 8 = 48 books

Step 2: Find remaining books after selling

Store sold 15 books

Remaining books = 48 - 15 = 33 books

Step 3: Distribute remaining books equally

33 books arranged on 3 tables equally

Books per table = 33 ÷ 3 = 11 books

Step 4: Verify the answer

Start: 6 × 8 = 48 books

Sold: 48 - 15 = 33 books

Distribute: 33 ÷ 3 = 11 books per table

Check: 11 × 3 = 33, and 33 + 15 = 48 ✓

Answer is reasonable

Each table has 11 books
Final answer:

Each table has 11 books

Applied rules:

• Follow sequence: Calculate in order of events

• Track quantities: Keep track of what remains

• Three-step process: Multiply, subtract, divide

Two-Step Word Problems Summary Guide
Problem = (Operation 1) → (Operation 2)
Two-Step Structure
Key definitions:

Two-step word problem: A mathematical problem that requires two different operations to solve completely

Keywords: Words that indicate which operation to use (more, total, altogether = addition; less, fewer, left = subtraction; each, per, groups of = multiplication; shared equally, split, divided = division)

Order of operations: In word problems, follow the sequence described in the problem

Clue words: Words that signal which operation to perform (see list below)

Five-step problem-solving method:
  1. Read: Carefully read the entire problem
  2. Identify: Find important numbers and what is being asked
  3. Plan: Decide which operations to use and in what order
  4. Solve: Work through each step systematically
  5. Check: Verify if the answer makes sense
Tip 1: Draw pictures or use objects to visualize the problem.
Tip 2: Look for clue words that indicate operations.
Tip 3: Always check if your answer is reasonable.
Tip 4: Write down each step to stay organized.
Common clue words: Addition: "total", "altogether", "combined", "more than", "in all". Subtraction: "left", "remaining", "less", "fewer", "take away". Multiplication: "each", "per", "groups of", "times", "product of". Division: "shared equally", "divided", "split", "per", "quotient of".
Memory aid: Think of the problem as a story - what happens first, second, etc.
Common two-step problem patterns:

• Multiply then Add: Find total in groups, then add extras

• Multiply then Subtract: Find total in groups, then take some away

• Divide then Add: Share equally, then add something extra

• Subtract then Divide: Take away first, then share what remains

• Add then Multiply: Combine amounts, then multiply by a factor

• Subtract then Multiply: Find difference, then multiply

Problem-solving checklist:

• Did I read the problem carefully?

• Do I know what the question is asking?

• Which numbers are important?

• Which operations do I need to use?

• In what order should I do the operations?

• Does my answer make sense?

• Can I check my work?

Questions & Answers

Question: I always get confused about which operation to do first in two-step problems. How do I know?

Answer: Great question! Here's how to decide the order:

  • Follow the story: Read the problem like a story and do the operations in the order they happen
  • Look for clue words: Words like "in all groups of" suggest multiplication first, then addition
  • Think logically: What makes sense? If you have groups first, multiply. If you need to share, divide last

Example: "Sarah has 3 boxes of 5 pencils each. She gives 2 away." - First: 3 boxes OF 5 pencils → multiply (3 × 5 = 15) - Second: gives 2 away → subtract (15 - 2 = 13)

The story tells you the order!

Question: How can I help my child practice two-step word problems at home?

Answer: Here are effective strategies for home practice:

  • Use real objects: Count toys, snacks, or household items to model problems
  • Create story problems: Make up problems about daily activities (shopping, cooking, games)
  • Draw pictures: Help visualize the problem with simple drawings
  • Practice regularly: Even 10 minutes daily helps build confidence

Example: "We have 3 bags of 4 cookies each. We eat 5 cookies. How many are left?" Use actual cookies or draw them to make it concrete.

Keep problems fun and connected to your child's interests!

Question: What if I don't understand the words in the problem? Some problems seem too hard to read.

Answer: That's completely normal! Here's what to do when words are tricky:

  • Ask for help: It's okay to ask a grown-up to read it aloud
  • Focus on numbers: Look for the important numbers first
  • Look for action words: "More," "less," "each," "shared" tell you what to do
  • Draw it out: Sketch what the problem is saying

Example: "Samantha purchased 4 packets of 6 stickers each" - even if "purchased" is unfamiliar, you see "4 packets of 6" which means 4 × 6.

The math is usually simpler than the vocabulary!