Multi-Step Word Problems — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. A machine fills 180 bottles per hour. After 5 hours, 325 bottles are removed for shipping. There are 575 bottles on the line.
Total filled: 180 × 5 = 900 bottles. After removing 325 for shipping, 900 − 325 = 575 remain on the line.
2. A school has 8 classrooms with 28 desks each. After adding 36 desks from storage, there are 260 desks total.
Existing desks: 8 × 28 = 224. Adding 36 from storage gives 224 + 36 = 260 desks total.
3. A bakery sells 65 cupcakes each day for 6 days. It donates 140 unsold ones. The number sold is 390
Total cupcakes sold: 65 × 6 = 390. The 140 donated are separate from the ones sold, so the answer is simply 390.
4. A pool drains 450 liters per hour. After 3 hours, a hose refills 500 liters. The net loss is 850 liters.
Water drained in 3 hours: 450 × 3 = 1,350 liters. After refilling 500, the net loss is 1,350 − 500 = 850 liters.
5. A delivery driver makes 7 stops delivering 42 packages each. He picks up 86 returns. His truck now holds 86 packages.
The driver delivers all packages (7 × 42 = 294 dropped off), leaving 0 on the truck. He then picks up 86 returns, so the truck holds 86 packages.
6. A nurse gives 4 patients 3 pills each day for 5 days. The total number of pills used is 60
Each day uses 4 × 3 = 12 pills. Over 5 days, the total is 12 × 5 = 60 pills used.
7. A gym orders 5 sets of weights at $165 each and a bench for $230. The total cost is $1,055
Weights cost 5 × $165 = $825. Adding the $230 bench gives $825 + $230 = $1,055 total.
8. A library receives 1,200 new books split equally among 4 branches. Each branch already had 575 books. Each branch now has 875 books.
Each branch gets 1,200 ÷ 4 = 300 new books. Adding to the 575 already there gives 575 + 300 = 875 books per branch.
9. A restaurant serves 95 meals per day. In 8 days, the total meals served is 760
Multiply the daily amount by the number of days: 95 × 8 = 760 meals served over 8 days.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
1,200 ÷ 4 + 350
→ 650
800
7 × 130 − 410
→ 500
650
3,600 ÷ 9 × 2
→ 800
500
5 × 185 − 200
→ 725
725
Work each expression: 1,200 ÷ 4 = 300 + 350 = 650; 7 × 130 = 910 − 410 = 500; 3,600 ÷ 9 = 400 × 2 = 800; 5 × 185 = 925 − 200 = 725.