Multi-Step Word Problems — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. A class needs 4 groups of 7 chairs plus 12 extra chairs. They need 40 chairs in all.
Multiply first: 4 × 7 = 28 chairs. Then add 12 extras: 28 + 12 = 40 chairs.
2. Leo has 80 trading cards. He trades 25 away and gives 30 to his sister. He has 25 cards left.
Add what he loses: 25 + 30 = 55 cards gone. Then 80 - 55 = 25 cards left.
3. A store sells 6 packs of 8 juice boxes. They divide all the boxes equally among 6 shelves. Each shelf has 8 boxes.
Multiply first: 6 × 8 = 48 boxes. Then divide by 6 shelves: 48 ÷ 6 = 8 boxes per shelf.
4. A library gets 42 new books and 18 donated books. After lending out 35, 25 books are on the shelves.
Add first: 42 + 18 = 60 books. Then subtract 35 lent: 60 - 35 = 25 books on shelves.
5. There are 5 rows of 9 plants. The gardener removes 7 dead plants. Now there are 38 plants.
Multiply first: 5 × 9 = 45 plants. Then subtract 7 dead: 45 - 7 = 38 plants.
6. A chef bakes 10 trays of 3 rolls. She adds 20 rolls from yesterday. She has 50 rolls total.
Multiply first: 10 × 3 = 30 rolls baked. Then add 20 from yesterday: 30 + 20 = 50 rolls.
7. A tank holds 100 gallons. After using 47 gallons and then 28 more, 25 gallons remain.
Add amounts used: 47 + 28 = 75 gallons. Then 100 - 75 = 25 gallons remain.
8. There are 3 cases of 12 water bottles shared equally among 9 kids. Each kid gets 4 bottles.
Multiply first: 3 × 12 = 36 bottles. Then divide by 9 kids: 36 ÷ 9 = 4 bottles each.
9. Ava collects 8 bags of 5 seashells and finds 15 more on the beach. She has 55 seashells now.
Multiply first: 8 × 5 = 40 seashells. Then add 15 more: 40 + 15 = 55 seashells.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
7 × 4 toys, then buy 8 more
→ 36
9
60 - 15, then subtract 20
→ 25
25
9 × 3 books, share among 3 kids
→ 9
36
5 × 6 coins, then spend 10
→ 20
20
Solve step by step: 7×4=28 then 28+8=36; 60-15=45 then 45-20=25; 9×3=27 then 27÷3=9; 5×6=30 then 30-10=20. Each needs two operations in order.