Two-step word problems (grade 3) · lesson

Find groups, then add

💡 When a story has equal groups and then some more, multiply first and add second.

Read the whole story. Look for equal groups, like bags, rows, or coins that are all worth the same.

Multiply to find the total of the groups. Then add the extra amount.

🧠 Let's work it out

Zoe has 3 bags of 7 shells. She finds 4 more. How many shells does she have?

What do you think comes next?

💡 To find what is left after buying or giving away groups, multiply first and subtract second.

Many stories start with an amount and then spend or use some. The part used often comes in equal groups.

Multiply to find how much was used. Then subtract it from the start. Change is what you get back after you pay.

🧠 Let's work it out

Max has 30 dollars. He buys 3 hats at 7 dollars each. How much is left?

What do you think comes next?

💡 When a story splits a total into equal groups, divide first, then add or take away.

Some stories put a total into equal bags or teams. Divide to find how many in each, or how many groups.

Then read the rest of the story. Add if more come. Subtract if some go away.

🧠 Let's work it out

28 crayons go into 4 equal boxes. Then 3 crayons are added to one box. How many are in that box?

What do you think comes next?