Multi-Step Problem Solving (age 8+) · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Solving Big Problems in Steps

Mathematics · Mathematical Thinking · ages 8-9
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. Two boxes hold 24 apples each. How many apples is that before packing?

    Answer: ______________

  2. Two boxes hold 24 apples each. Half are packed into bags. Which plan finds the packed count?

    • Add and stop
    • Add first, then halve
    • Halve one box and stop
    • Add, then double

  3. Before you calculate a multi-step problem, what should you do first?

    • Break it into steps and plan the order
    • Guess an answer without reading the problem
    • Add every number you can find in the problem

  4. True or false: for a perimeter problem, you can either draw a diagram or write an equation to work out the sub-steps.

    Circle one:   True   False

  5. Half of 20 is the check value for 3/5 of 20. What is half of 20?

    Answer: ______________

  6. For a shape with 5 different side lengths, Zara draws a labelled sketch while Omar writes an equation adding each side. Whose method can find the perimeter?

    • Both methods can work
    • Only Zara's method works
    • Only Omar's method works

  7. A rectangle is 5 cm by 3 cm. Which finds its perimeter?

    • 2 x (5 + 3)
    • 5 x 3
    • 5 + 3
    • 2 x 5 + 3

  8. Before calculating, Mo writes: step 1 add, step 2 halve. He says a plan first saves mistakes. Is Mo right?

    Circle one:   True   False

  9. Leo reads a two-step word problem and immediately adds every number he sees, without deciding what the problem is actually asking. What did Leo skip?

    • Using a pencil instead of a pen
    • Planning what the problem needs before he calculates
    • Writing the date at the top of his page

  10. A shop has 3 shelves with 8 tins each. All tins move into boxes of 6. How many boxes fill completely?

    Answer: ______________

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Answer key

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

Solving Big Problems in Steps W1-mt_SmghasIvbT-s1

  1. 48 · 48 apples because 24 + 24 = 48.
  2. Add first, then halve · Add first, then halve is the plan: 24 + 24 = 48, then half is 24. Stopping early or doubling lands on 48, 12 or 96.
  3. Break it into steps and plan the order · Planning your steps first helps you know what to calculate, and in what order.
  4. True · Both are good strategies. Pick whichever helps you see the side lengths clearly.
  5. 10 · Half of 20 is 10.
  6. Both methods can work · A labelled sketch and an equation are just two ways of doing the same job: adding up every side.
  7. 2 x (5 + 3) · 2 x (5 + 3) is correct: 5 + 3 = 8 and doubled is 16. 5 x 3 is the area, 5 + 3 counts half the sides, and 2 x 5 + 3 misses a side.
  8. True · Mo is right because naming the steps stops skipped or swapped operations.
  9. Planning what the problem needs before he calculates · Without a plan, Leo might add numbers that should have been multiplied, divided, or subtracted instead.
  10. 4 · 4 boxes fill because 3 x 8 = 24 tins and 24 / 6 = 4.
Worksheet · LightMySky