Basic 4 · Mathematics · Number Operations
Multi-Step Word Problems
In this topic you will solve word problems that need two or more operations.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Read and understand multi-step problems
- Choose the right operations
- Solve and check the answer
What you already know
- Mental multiplication
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
- Strand
- Number
- Sub-strand
- Number Operations
- Indicator
- B4.1.2.5.1 – Solve multi-step word problems involving the four basic operations
Introduction
Esi bought 3 books at GH₵15 each and paid with GH₵50. How much change did she get? This problem needs two steps: multiply, then subtract.
1. Steps for Solving
- Read: What do you know? What must you find?
- Plan: Which operations? In what order?
- Solve: Work out each step.
- Check: Does the answer make sense?
2. Key Words
| Operation | Clue words |
|---|---|
| add (+) | total, altogether, in all, sum |
| subtract (−) | left, change, difference, how many more |
| multiply (×) | each, times, groups of, per |
| divide (÷) | share equally, each gets, per group |
Example 1
Esi bought 3 books at GH₵15 each. She paid with GH₵50. Find her change.
- Step 1 (multiply): 3 × 15 = GH₵45
- Step 2 (subtract): 50 − 45 = GH₵5
Answer: Her change is GH₵5.
Example 2
96 pupils share 4 boxes of 72 pencils equally. How many pencils does each pupil get?
- Step 1 (multiply): 4 × 72 = 288 pencils
- Step 2 (divide): 288 ÷ 96 = 3
Answer: Each pupil gets 3 pencils.
Common mistake: Do the steps in the right order. In Example 1, multiply first, then subtract.
New words
- multi-step
- Needing more than one step.
- operation
- Add, subtract, multiply or divide.
- clue word
- A word that hints at the operation.
- check
- To make sure an answer is right.
- total
- The whole amount.
- remainder
- What is left after dividing.
Summary
- Multi-step problems need more than one operation.
- Read, plan, solve and check.
- Clue words help choose the operation.
- Do the steps in a sensible order.
Class activity: Problem Makers
- Write a two-step word problem using prices from the class shop.
- Swap with another group and solve it.
- Check the answer together.
You need: Bottle tops, Bundles of sticks, Exercise books
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Which clue word suggests division?
- A. Share equally
- B. Altogether
- C. Difference
- D. Times
Show answer
Answer: Share equallySharing means dividing.2. Kofi has GH₵100. He buys 4 shirts at GH₵20 each. How much is left?
- A. GH₵20
- B. GH₵80
- C. GH₵40
- D. GH₵60
Show answer
Answer: GH₵204 × 20 = 80; 100 − 80 = 20.3. A farmer packs 240 oranges into bags of 12. He sells each bag for GH₵5. How much money does he get?
- A. GH₵100
- B. GH₵20
- C. GH₵240
- D. GH₵120
Show answer
Answer: GH₵100240 ÷ 12 = 20 bags; 20 × 5 = 100.4. "Altogether" usually means add.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueIt asks for a total.5. In a multi-step problem, the order of steps never matters.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseThe order often matters.6. The four operations are add, subtract, multiply and ______.
Show answer
Answer: divideThose are the four operations.7. A class of 35 pupils each brings GH₵2 for a trip. The bus costs GH₵50. How much money is left?
Show answer
Answer: GH₵2035 × 2 = 70; 70 − 50 = 20.8. A trader buys 6 crates of 24 eggs. 18 eggs break. She sells the rest in trays of 30. How many full trays does she sell?
Show answer
Answer: 4 full trays (with 6 eggs left)6 × 24 = 144; 144 − 18 = 126; 126 ÷ 30 = 4 remainder 6.
Homework
- Write and solve a two-step word problem about shopping at home.