K5Print Free printable worksheets for K–5

10 printable sets · answer key on every set

Multi-Step Word Problems Worksheets

  • CCSS 4.OA.A.3
  • 12 problems per set
  • Answer key included

What this skill is

Stories that need two operations, such as multiplying to find a total and then taking some away.

When it comes up: Fourth grade.

The mistake to watch for

Doing the operations in the order the numbers appear instead of the order the story needs.

How to help

Write one short sentence for each step before calculating, and check at the end whether the answer makes sense.

Next: Multi-step problems with fractions in fifth grade.

A worked example

Leo buys 4 packs of cards with 8 cards in each pack, and gives away 5 cards. Step 1: 4 × 8 = 32 cards. Step 2: 32 − 5 = 27 cards left.

Words to know

multiply
To add the same number again and again, in a faster way.
subtract
To take one number away from another to find how many are left.
step
One part of solving a problem. A two-step problem needs two calculations.
total
All of the things added together.
estimate
To find an answer that is close, without doing the exact work.

Practice

Read the story. Write the answer.

Showing Set 1 · 12 problems

  1. Ava has 6 boxes with 5 pencils in each box and 13 more pencils on a table. How many pencils does Ava have in all?
  2. Mia buys 3 packs of books. Each pack has 6 books. Mia gives away 2 books. How many books are left?
  3. Sam has 5 boxes with 5 pencils in each box and 13 more pencils on a table. How many pencils does Sam have in all?
  4. Leo buys 8 packs of crayons. Each pack has 11 crayons. Leo gives away 6 crayons. How many crayons are left?
  5. Jack buys 7 packs of marbles. Each pack has 8 marbles. Jack gives away 4 marbles. How many marbles are left?
  6. Owen buys 8 packs of shells. Each pack has 7 shells. Owen gives away 8 shells. How many shells are left?
  7. Eli has 6 boxes with 9 stickers in each box and 13 more stickers on a table. How many stickers does Eli have in all?
  8. Ava buys 7 packs of apples. Each pack has 7 apples. Ava gives away 10 apples. How many apples are left?
  9. Nora buys 3 packs of shells. Each pack has 4 shells. Nora gives away 6 shells. How many shells are left?
  10. Lily has 7 boxes with 6 balloons in each box and 5 more balloons on a table. How many balloons does Lily have in all?
  11. Max buys 7 packs of cards. Each pack has 9 cards. Max gives away 14 cards. How many cards are left?
  12. Jack has 3 boxes with 12 cookies in each box and 12 more cookies on a table. How many cookies does Jack have in all?

Download this set12 problems · answer key included PDF

Answer key
  1. 43
  2. 16
  3. 38
  4. 82
  5. 52
  6. 48
  7. 67
  8. 39
  9. 6
  10. 47
  11. 49
  12. 48

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 4.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.