Solving Word Problems in the fourth grade classroom

Step One Read the word problem carefully and identify the important information you will need to solve the problem.

Step Two Identify the type of operation you will need to use: – Addition – Subtraction – Multiplication – Division

Addition Addition word problems use words like: increased by more than sum together combined total of added to

Addition Word Problem Christopher has 18 video games, he receives 5 more on his birthday. How many video games does he have now?

Addition Word Problem Christopher has 18 video games, he receives 5 more on his birthday. How many video games does he have now? ( = ? )

Addition Word Problem Christopher has 18 video games, he receives 5 more on his birthday. How many video games does he have now? ( = ? )

Subtraction Subtraction word problems use words like: : minus, less than decreased by less than difference fewer than away/lose

Subtraction Word Problem If there are 20 apple trees in one grove, and 5 less apple trees in the second grove; how many apple trees are there in the second grove?

Subtraction Word Problem If there are 20 apple trees in one grove, and 5 less apple trees in the second grove; how many apple trees are there in the second grove? ( – = ? ) 205

Multiplication Multiplication word problems use words like: of times multiplied by product of

Multiplication Word Problem: If Reese has 5 fish and Kaelah has 2 times as many fish as Reese; how many fish does Reese have?

Multiplication Word Problem: If Reese has 5 fish and Kaelah has 2 times as many fish as Reese; how many fish does Reese have? 5 2 ( x = ? )

Division Division word problems use words like: per out of ratio of quotient of

Division Word Problem: If Layla had 15 cookies and ate the same amount each day for 5 days how many did she eat per day?

Division Word Problem: If Layla had 15 cookies and ate the same amount each day for 5 days how many did she eat per day? ( / = ? ) 15 5

Step Three Solve the Problem – Using one of the many problem solving strategies

Choose a Strategy to Solve the Problem: Work Backwards Use drawings and illustrations Create an equation Make a table Guess and check Or use your own strategy

Step Four Write the answer to the word problem – Remember What you are trying to find, do you need more than one answer? Identify your answer in units, such as miles per hour, inches, or apples Double check your answer

Answer Example If Brayden has 3 apples and 7 oranges how many more oranges does he have than apples? – Wrong way to answer: 4 (even though this is the right answer it is not complete) – Correct way to answer: Brayden has 4 more oranges than apples.

7 – 3 = Brayden has 4 more oranges than apples.

White Boards Ready?

Gaston went to 28 ballgames this year. Last year he went to 64. How many games did he go to altogether?

Addition Gaston went to 28 ballgames this year. Last year he went to 64. How many games did he go to altogether? games

Alex solved 64 problems during the math contest, Ericka solved 26 more problems. How many problems did Ericka solve?

Addition Alex solved 64 problems during the math contest, Ericka solved 26 more problems. How many problems did Ericka solve? problems

GG and Britney started a jewelry business. If they had 620 beads and it takes 20 beads to make one bracelet, how many bracelets can they make?

Division GG and Britney started a jewelry business. If they had 620 beads and it takes 20 beads to make one bracelet, how many bracelets can they make? 620 ÷ 20 = 31 bracelets

Nathan had 69 Yu-Gi-Oh cards, he gave 35 to his younger cousin. How many cards did he have left?

Subtraction Nathan had 69 Yu-Gi-Oh cards, he gave 35 to his younger cousin. How many cards did he have left? cards left

Lisa can do 82 sit-ups in one minute. Tyranesia can do 50 sit-ups in one minute. How many fewer sit-ups can Tyranesia do?

Subtraction Lisa can do 82 sit-ups in one minute. Tyranesia can do 50 sit-ups in one minute. How many fewer sit-ups can Tyranesia do? fewer situps

Timothy and Christopher are in a contest to see who can sell the most coupon books for their fourth grade class. Books cost $10 each, Christopher has brought in $150, so how many books does Timothy have to sell to win?

Division Timothy and Christopher are in a contest to see who can sell the most coupon books for their fourth grade class. Books cost $10 each, Christopher has brought in $150, so how many books does Timothy have to sell to win? 150 ÷ 10 = 15 books = 16 books to win

Brandon collects pennies, he was dropping 30 more pennies into his bank when his dad gave him another handful. He now has 93 pennies to add to his bank. How many pennies did Brandon receive from his dad?

Subtraction Brandon collects pennies, he was dropping 30 more pennies into his bank when his dad gave him another handful. He now has 93 pennies to add to his bank. How many pennies did Brandon receive from his dad? more pennies

Dakota was building 19 card houses when Chris stopped by with his new puppy. Chris made twice as many card houses as Dakota. Then the puppy ran across the room knocking down 7 of the card houses. How many houses were not knocked down?

Multi-step Problem Dakota was building 19 card houses when Chris stopped by with his new puppy. Chris made twice as many card houses as Dakota. Then the puppy ran across the room knocking down 7 of the card houses. How many houses were not knocked down? 19 x 2 = 38 Chris made 38 – 7 = 31 houses left

Taylor stopped by Leah’s to show her the new plastic ball she had bought for Pips (her guinea pig) to exercise in when Pips rolled across the floor knocking down the 5 card houses Leah had just built using 29 cards for each. How many cards were knocked down in all?

Multiplication Taylor stopped by Leah’s to show her the new plastic ball she had bought for Pips (her guinea pig) to exercise in when Pips rolled across the floor knocking down the 5 card houses Leah had just built using 29 cards for each. How many cards were knocked down in all? 29 x 5 = 145 cards

Elvis, Harold, and Belinda collect comics, Elvis has 30 comics, Harold has 19 more than Elvis. Belinda has 19 fewer comics than Harold. How many comics does Belinda have?

Addition/Subtraction Elvis, Harold, and Belinda collect comics, Elvis has 30 comics, Harold has 19 more than Elvis. Belinda has 19 fewer comics than Harold. How many comics does Belinda have? = 49 Harold’s comics 49 – 19 = 30 Belinda’s comics

Mrs. DePeder has 20 students, if she wants to put them in five groups around the class, how many students should she place in each group?

Division Mrs. DePeder has 20 students, if she wants to put them in five groups around the class, how many students should she place in each group? 20 ÷ 5 = 4 students per group

Now, can you create your own word problem?