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10 printable sets · answer key on every set

Multiplication and Division Word Problems Worksheets

  • CCSS 3.OA.A.3
  • 12 problems per set
  • Answer key included

What this skill is

Stories about equal groups: how many in all, how many in each group, or how many groups.

When it comes up: Third grade, alongside the multiplication and division facts.

The mistake to watch for

Multiplying every time because the story has two numbers. Decide what is unknown: the total (multiply), the size of each group (divide), or the number of groups (divide).

How to help

Draw boxes for the groups and put dots inside. Ask which of the three amounts the question is asking for.

Next: Multi-step word problems in fourth grade.

A worked example

There are 4 bags with 6 apples in each bag. The groups are equal and we want the total, so multiply: 4 × 6 = 24 apples. The other way round: 24 apples shared into 4 equal groups is 24 ÷ 4 = 6 in each group.

Words to know

multiply
To add the same number again and again, in a faster way.
divide
To share a number into equal groups, or to find how many groups fit.
group
A set of things put together, like 4 groups of 3 apples.
equal
The same amount. The sign = means "is equal to".
share
To split into equal parts.

Practice

Read the story. Write the answer.

Showing Set 1 · 12 problems

  1. There are 7 bags with 2 apples in each bag. How many apples are there in all?
  2. Jack has 36 stickers and puts them into 4 equal groups. How many stickers are in each group?
  3. There are 2 bags with 8 stickers in each bag. How many stickers are there in all?
  4. Ava has 12 marbles. Ava puts 3 marbles in each box. How many boxes does Ava fill?
  5. Ben has 36 shells and puts them into 4 equal groups. How many shells are in each group?
  6. There are 8 bags with 6 books in each bag. How many books are there in all?
  7. There are 10 bags with 2 apples in each bag. How many apples are there in all?
  8. Lily has 42 crayons and puts them into 7 equal groups. How many crayons are in each group?
  9. Nora has 48 cookies. Nora puts 6 cookies in each box. How many boxes does Nora fill?
  10. Ruby has 32 crayons. Ruby puts 8 crayons in each box. How many boxes does Ruby fill?
  11. Ben has 36 cookies and puts them into 6 equal groups. How many cookies are in each group?
  12. There are 7 bags with 6 crayons in each bag. How many crayons are there in all?

Download this set12 problems · answer key included PDF

Answer key
  1. 14
  2. 9
  3. 16
  4. 4
  5. 9
  6. 48
  7. 20
  8. 6
  9. 8
  10. 4
  11. 6
  12. 42

All 10 sets

Each set is a different list of 12 problems with its own answer key. Use the buttons above to look at one on this page, or download any of them as a PDF.

How these sheets were made
  • Problems are generated for each set and checked against 3.OA.A.3 before the sheet is built — no duplicates, and every problem falls inside the standard's number range.

Common Core State Standards © 2010 National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers. All rights reserved.