Three-step word problems
The question
How many strawberries does Ines have now?
Ines has 8 sets of 2 strawberries. An uncle sends 11; later, Ines hands 10 to a younger sibling.
8 × 2 = 16
8 × 2 = 16
16 + 11 = 27
8 × 2 = 16
16 + 11 = 27
27 − 10 = 17
8 × 2 = 16
16 + 11 = 27
27 − 10 = 17
17 strawberries
- Read the whole story first. Three things happen in order, so keep one running total.
- Step 1: 8 equal groups with 2 in each means multiply. 8 × 2 = 16.
- Step 2 starts from 16. The story adds 11 more, so 16 + 11 = 27.
- Step 3 starts from 27. The story takes away 10, so 27 − 10 = 17.
- So “How many strawberries does Ines have now?” The answer is 17 strawberries.
How it works.
- 01
Read the whole story first. Three things happen in order, so keep one running total.
- 02
Step 1: 8 equal groups with 2 in each means multiply. 8 × 2 = 16.
- 03
Step 2 starts from 16. The story adds 11 more, so 16 + 11 = 27.
- 04
Step 3 starts from 27. The story takes away 10, so 27 − 10 = 17.
- 05
So “How many strawberries does Ines have now?” The answer is 17 strawberries.