Solved Exercises on Easy Multiplication and Division Word Problems in Grade 4

Master easy multiplication and division word problems: basic multi-digit calculations, simple problem-solving strategies, and fundamental mathematical reasoning through these 5 detailed exercises.

Solution: Exercises 1 to 3
1 Basic multiplication
Exercise 1
Emma has 5 boxes of cookies. Each box has 8 cookies. How many cookies does Emma have in total?
Definition:

Multiplication: A mathematical operation that combines equal groups to find a total amount.

Easy problem-solving method:
  1. Find how many groups there are (5 boxes)
  2. Find how many are in each group (8 cookies per box)
  3. Multiply the number of groups by the number in each group
  4. 5 × 8 = 40
Groups
5 boxes
Each group
8 cookies
Total
40 cookies
Step 1: Count the groups

Emma has 5 boxes

Step 2: Count items in each group

Each box has 8 cookies

Step 3: Multiply

5 groups × 8 items per group = 40 total items

Step 4: Check your answer

5 × 8 = 8 + 8 + 8 + 8 + 8 = 40 ✓

5 × 8 = 40
Final answer:

Emma has 40 cookies in total.

Key rule:

• Multiplication: Groups × Items per group = Total items

2 Basic division
Exercise 2
Tom has 24 candies. He wants to share them equally among 6 friends. How many candies will each friend get?
Definition:

Division: A mathematical operation that shares a total amount equally among groups.

Total
24 candies
Groups
6 friends
Each group
4 candies
Step 1: Identify the total amount

Tom has 24 candies in total

Step 2: Identify the number of groups

He wants to share among 6 friends

Step 3: Divide

24 ÷ 6 = 4

Step 4: Check your answer

4 × 6 = 24 ✓

24 ÷ 6 = 4
Final answer:

Each friend will get 4 candies.

Key rule:

• Division: Total ÷ Number of groups = Items per group

3 Simple mixed operations
Exercise 3
A teacher buys 3 packs of pencils. Each pack costs $2. If she pays with a $10 bill, how much change will she get?
Definition:

Mixed operations: Problems that use more than one mathematical operation to solve.

Cost
3 × $2 = $6
Change
$10 - $6 = $4
Step 1: Calculate the total cost

Number of packs × Cost per pack = Total cost

3 × $2 = $6

Step 2: Calculate the change

Money given - Total cost = Change

$10 - $6 = $4

Step 3: Check your answer

Cost + Change = Money given: $6 + $4 = $10 ✓

Total cost: $6, Change: $4
Final answer:

The teacher will get $4 in change.

Key rules:

• First operation: Multiplication to find total cost

• Second operation: Subtraction to find change

Easy Multiplication and Division Rules
\(a \times b = \text{total when you have } a \text{ groups of } b\)
Basic Multiplication
Multiplication
Groups × Items per group = Total
Example: 5 × 8 = 40
Division
Total ÷ Groups = Items per group
Example: 24 ÷ 6 = 4
Keywords
Multiplication: each, per, times, product
Division: share, divide, equally, per
Key Definitions:

Multiplication: Repeated addition of equal groups (5 groups of 8 = 5 × 8 = 40)

Division: Sharing equally or splitting into equal groups (24 shared among 6 = 24 ÷ 6 = 4)

Word problems: Real-life situations that need math to solve

Easy Problem-Solving Steps:
  1. Read the problem: Understand what is happening
  2. Find the numbers: Circle or highlight important numbers
  3. Look for keywords: "each," "per," "total," "share," "equally"
  4. Decide operation: Multiplication or division?
  5. Solve: Do the math carefully
  6. Check: Does your answer make sense?
Tip 1: Look for words like "each," "per," or "groups of" for multiplication.
Tip 2: Look for words like "share," "divide," or "equally" for division.
Tip 3: Always check if your answer is reasonable in the story.
Easy Multiplication: Start with small numbers and build confidence.
Success Strategy: Practice with real objects before moving to paper.
Essential Rules:

• Multiplication: Total = Groups × Items per group

• Division: Items per group = Total ÷ Number of groups

• Check: Multiply your division answer to verify

Solution: Exercises 4 to 5
4 Two-step problem
Exercise 4
A farmer has 4 baskets. Each basket has 7 apples. If he gives away 10 apples to his neighbor, how many apples does he have left?
Definition:

Two-step problems: Problems that require two different operations to solve.

Step 1
4 × 7 = 28
Step 2
28 - 10 = 18
Step 1: Find the total number of apples

Number of baskets × Apples per basket = Total apples

4 × 7 = 28 apples

Step 2: Subtract the apples given away

Total apples - Given away = Apples left

28 - 10 = 18 apples

Step 3: Check your answer

Apples left + Given away = Total: 18 + 10 = 28 ✓

First: 4 × 7 = 28, Then: 28 - 10 = 18
Final answer:

The farmer has 18 apples left.

Two-step rule:

• First: Do the multiplication to find the total

• Then: Do the subtraction to find what's left

5 Division with remainder
Exercise 5
There are 17 pizza slices to share equally among 3 children. How many slices does each child get? Are there any slices left over?
Definition:

Division with remainder: When numbers don't divide evenly, some items are left over.

Division
17 ÷ 3
Quotient
5
Remainder
2
Step 1: Set up the division

17 ÷ 3 = ?

Step 2: Find how many times 3 goes into 17

3 × 5 = 15, which is less than 17

3 × 6 = 18, which is more than 17

So 3 goes into 17 five times

Step 3: Find the remainder

17 - 15 = 2 slices left over

Step 4: Check your answer

(3 × 5) + 2 = 15 + 2 = 17 ✓

17 ÷ 3 = 5 R 2
Final answer:

Each child gets 5 slices, and 2 slices are left over.

Remainder rule:

• Division: Dividend = (Divisor × Quotient) + Remainder

• Remainder: The amount left over that can't be shared equally

Detailed Summary: Easy Multiplication and Division Word Problems
\(\text{Total} = \text{Groups} \times \text{Items per group}\)
Easy Multiplication Formula
Key Definitions:

Multiplication: Combining equal groups to find a total. Example: 4 groups of 5 = 4 × 5 = 20.

Division: Sharing a total equally among groups. Example: 20 shared among 4 = 20 ÷ 4 = 5.

Word problems: Math problems that use real-life situations to practice math skills.

Remainder: The amount left over when division doesn't come out evenly.

Easy Problem-Solving Process:
  1. Read carefully: Understand the story in the problem
  2. Find the question: What are you trying to find?
  3. Circle the numbers: Identify important numbers
  4. Look for clue words: Help decide if it's multiplication or division
  5. Set up the problem: Write the math equation
  6. Solve: Do the calculation
  7. Check: Make sure your answer makes sense
Tip 1: Multiplication clue words: each, per, times, product, total, groups of.
Tip 2: Division clue words: share, divide, equally, per, split, among.
Tip 3: Always check your division by multiplying: Quotient × Divisor = Dividend.
Tip 4: Use drawings or counters to help visualize the problem.
Common Patterns: Most easy problems follow the format: Groups × Items per group = Total OR Total ÷ Groups = Items per group.
Building Blocks: Master these simple problems before moving to harder ones.
Essential Formulas:

• Multiplication: Total = Groups × Items per group

• Division: Items per group = Total ÷ Number of groups

• Remainder check: Dividend = (Divisor × Quotient) + Remainder

Easy Word Problems Visualization
Understanding Easy Problems
Compare these problem types:
• Multiplication: Groups → Total
• Division: Total → Groups
• Mixed: Multiple steps needed

Analysis: The chart shows the relationship between known and unknown quantities in different problem types.

  • Multiplication: Known: Groups and items per group → Find: Total
  • Division: Known: Total and number of groups → Find: Items per group
  • Mixed: Multiple steps combining operations

Questions & Answers

Question: How do I know if a word problem is multiplication or division?

Answer: Great question! Here's how to tell:

  • Multiplication: You know the number of groups AND how many in each group → You find the TOTAL
  • Division: You know the TOTAL AND the number of groups → You find how many in each group

Look for these clue words:

  • Multiplication: "each," "per," "times," "product," "total," "groups of"
  • Division: "share," "divide," "equally," "per," "split," "among"

For example:

  • "5 boxes with 8 cookies each" → 5 × 8 = 40 (multiplication)
  • "24 cookies shared among 6 friends" → 24 ÷ 6 = 4 (division)

Question: What does "remainder" mean in division problems?

Answer: A remainder is what's left over when numbers don't divide evenly:

  • When you divide 17 by 3, you get 5 with a remainder of 2
  • This means 3 goes into 17 five times (3 × 5 = 15) with 2 left over
  • You write it as: 17 ÷ 3 = 5 R 2

In real life, remainders mean there are some items left over that can't be shared equally. For example, if you have 17 cookies to share among 3 friends, each gets 5 cookies and 2 cookies remain.

Always check: (Divisor × Quotient) + Remainder = Dividend

Check: (3 × 5) + 2 = 15 + 2 = 17 ✓

Question: How can I check if my answer to a word problem is correct?

Answer: Here are several ways to check your answers:

  1. Estimate: Round numbers and do quick mental math to see if your answer is close
  2. Reverse operation: For multiplication, divide your answer to check. For division, multiply.
  3. Context check: Does the answer make sense in the story?
  4. Add up parts: In mixed problems, make sure all parts add up correctly

Examples:

  • Multiplication check: If 5 × 8 = 40, then 40 ÷ 8 = 5 ✓
  • Division check: If 24 ÷ 6 = 4, then 4 × 6 = 24 ✓
  • Mixed problem check: Cost + Change = Money given

Always take a moment to ask yourself: "Does this answer make sense in the story?"