Multiplication and Division Word Problems
Use multiplication and division within 100 to solve word problems involving equal groups, arrays, and measurement quantities
What a learner can do afterwards
- Solve an equal-groups word problem using multiplication
- Solve a measurement division problem (e.g. 'How many 4-cm pieces from a 28-cm ribbon?')
- Solve an array/area word problem using multiplication
The lesson
Word problems hide multiplication and division inside a story. Look for clues. If a problem gives you equal groups and asks for the total, multiply. If it gives you a total and asks you to split it up, divide.
A classroom has 4 rows of chairs with 6 chairs in each row. Multiply the rows by the chairs in each row: 4 x 6 = 24 chairs.
Division can also tell you how many equal pieces fit inside a total. This is called measuring. Ask yourself: how many groups of that size are in the total?
A ribbon is 28 cm long. Each piece needs to be 4 cm. Divide the total by the piece size: 28 / 4 = 7 pieces.
To pick the right operation, look at what's missing. Know the groups and the size of each group? Multiply for the total. Know the total and the size of each group? Divide for the number of groups.
Multiply when you know the groups and need the total. Divide when you know the total and need to split it evenly.
Watch it
Where it sits
Learn first
This opens up
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.