Writing equations for multiplicative comparison

Mathematics · Multiplication & Division · ages 9-10

Name ______________________ Date ____________

Which phrase means multiplication, not addition?
- 5 more than
- 5 times as many
- 5 less than
Tom has 5 apples. Maya has 3 times as many. Which equation finds Maya's apples (m)?
- 3 x 5 = m
- 3 + 5 = m
- 3 x m = 5
In the equation 4 x n = 36, n stands for an unknown number we need to find.
Circle one: True False
36 is 4 times a number. What is the number?
- 9
- 32
- 144
A blue ribbon is 3 times as long as a red ribbon that is 7 cm. How long is the blue ribbon?
Answer: ______________
Sam read 5 times as many books as Lily. Lily read 4 books. Which equation and answer shows how many Sam read?
- 5 x 4 = s, s = 20
- 5 + 4 = s, s = 9
- s x 4 = 5, s = 1
In the equation 8 x n = 56, what number does n stand for?
Answer: ______________
A ribbon is 6 times as long as a 4 cm string. A student wrote 6 + 4 = r for the ribbon's length r. What mistake did they make?
- They added instead of multiplied; the correct length is 24 cm
- They multiplied instead of added; the correct length is 10 cm
- The equation is correct

Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

5 times as many · '5 times as many' means multiply by 5. 'More than' and 'less than' mean add or subtract.
3 x 5 = m · '3 times as many' means multiply: 3 x 5 = m, so Maya has 15 apples.
True · n is a symbol holding the place of the missing number until we solve for it.
9 · 4 x n = 36. Since 4 x 9 = 36, the number is 9.
21 · 3 x 7 = 21, so the blue ribbon is 21 cm long.
5 x 4 = s, s = 20 · '5 times as many' means multiply: 5 x 4 = 20 books.
7 · 56 divided by 8 is 7, so n stands for 7.
They added instead of multiplied; the correct length is 24 cm · '6 times as long' needs multiplication, not addition. 6 x 4 = 24 cm.