Multi-Step Word Problems — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
A farm has 1,250 eggs. It ships 480 to one store and 375 to another. There are 405 eggs left because 1,250 − 480 = 770 and 770 − 375 = 405.
Corrected: A farm has 1,250 eggs. It ships 480 to one store and 375 to another. There are 395 eggs left because 1,250 − 480 = 770 and 770 − 375 = 395.
The corrected sentence is: "A farm has 1,250 eggs. It ships 480 to one store and 375 to another. There are 395 eggs left because 1,250 − 480 = 770 and 770 − 375 = 395.". The original sentence "A farm has 1,250 eggs. It ships 480 to one store and 375 to another. There are 405 eggs left because 1,250 − 480 = 770 and 770 − 375 = 405." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
2. Fix the sentence:
A theater sold 863 tickets on Friday and 547 on Saturday. The total is 1,310 tickets because 863 + 547 = 1,310.
Corrected: A theater sold 863 tickets on Friday and 547 on Saturday. The total is 1,410 tickets because 863 + 547 = 1,410.
The corrected sentence is: "A theater sold 863 tickets on Friday and 547 on Saturday. The total is 1,410 tickets because 863 + 547 = 1,410.". The original sentence "A theater sold 863 tickets on Friday and 547 on Saturday. The total is 1,310 tickets because 863 + 547 = 1,310." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
3. Fix the sentence:
A company had 2,000 widgets. It sold 750 on Monday and 625 on Tuesday. There are 675 left because 2,000 − 750 = 1,250 and 1,250 − 625 = 675.
Corrected: A company had 2,000 widgets. It sold 750 on Monday and 625 on Tuesday. There are 625 left because 2,000 − 750 = 1,250 and 1,250 − 625 = 625.
The corrected sentence is: "A company had 2,000 widgets. It sold 750 on Monday and 625 on Tuesday. There are 625 left because 2,000 − 750 = 1,250 and 1,250 − 625 = 625.". The original sentence "A company had 2,000 widgets. It sold 750 on Monday and 625 on Tuesday. There are 675 left because 2,000 − 750 = 1,250 and 1,250 − 625 = 675." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. A school has 1,500 fiction books and 2,350 nonfiction books. If 1,200 books are checked out, the library has 2,650 books on shelves.
Step 1: 1,500 + 2,350 = 3,850 total. Step 2: 3,850 − 1,200 = 2,650 books.
2. Carlos had 975 points. He lost 368 points, then earned 450 more. His score is now 1,057
Step 1: 975 − 368 = 607. Step 2: 607 + 450 = 1,057 points.
3. A warehouse stored 4,200 boxes. It shipped 1,875 on Wednesday and 960 on Thursday. There are 1,365 boxes left.
Step 1: 4,200 − 1,875 = 2,325. Step 2: 2,325 − 960 = 1,365 boxes.
4. Emma collected 680 seashells and her sister collected 320. They gave away 515 shells. They have 485 shells left.
Step 1: 680 + 320 = 1,000 total. Step 2: 1,000 − 515 = 485 shells.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. A town had 5,400 residents. Then 835 people moved in and 1,260 moved out. How many residents are there now? Show your steps.
Sample answer: Step 1: 5,400 + 835 = 6,235 residents after people moved in. Step 2: 6,235 − 1,260 = 4,975 residents now.
5,400 + 835 − 1,260 = 4,975 residents.
2. What should you look for in a word problem to know it needs more than one step?
Sample answer: Look for more than one action or event happening, such as buying and then returning, or earning and then spending. Each action usually requires its own operation.
Signal words like 'then,' 'after that,' and 'remaining after' suggest multiple steps are needed.