Word Problems: Multiplication & Division
Learn
Word problems help you use multiplication and division in real life! The key is figuring out which operation to use.
Key Words for Multiplication
- Groups of, rows of, times - "4 groups of 6" means 4 x 6
- Each, every, per - "5 stickers on each page" with 7 pages means 7 x 5
- Total - Finding the total of equal groups
Key Words for Division
- Share equally, split, divide - "Share 24 cookies among 6 friends"
- How many groups, how many in each - Separating into equal parts
- Each person gets - Finding how many each receives
Problem-Solving Steps
- Read the problem carefully
- Find the numbers and key words
- Decide - multiply or divide?
- Solve and check your answer
Examples
Multiplication Example:
"There are 8 rows of desks. Each row has 6 desks. How many desks are there in all?"
Key words: "rows of" and "in all" = multiplication
Solution: 8 x 6 = 48 desks
Division Example:
"Maria has 35 stickers. She wants to share them equally among 5 friends. How many stickers does each friend get?"
Key words: "share equally" and "each friend" = division
Solution: 35 / 5 = 7 stickers each
Practice
Solve these word problems.
1. A baker puts 6 muffins in each box. She has 9 boxes. How many muffins does she have?
A) 15 muffins
B) 54 muffins
C) 45 muffins
D) 63 muffins
Answer
B) 54 muffins - This is multiplication: 9 boxes x 6 muffins = 54 muffins.
2. There are 42 students in the gym. The teacher divides them into 7 equal teams. How many students are on each team?
A) 5 students
B) 7 students
C) 6 students
D) 8 students
Answer
C) 6 students - This is division: 42 / 7 = 6 students per team.
3. Jake reads 8 pages every day. How many pages will he read in 7 days?
A) 15 pages
B) 48 pages
C) 64 pages
D) 56 pages
Answer
D) 56 pages - "Every day" signals multiplication: 8 x 7 = 56 pages.
4. Emma has 72 crayons. She puts them equally into 8 boxes. How many crayons are in each box?
A) 8 crayons
B) 9 crayons
C) 7 crayons
D) 10 crayons
Answer
B) 9 crayons - "Equally into" means division: 72 / 8 = 9 crayons per box.
5. A parking lot has 5 rows of cars. Each row has 9 cars. How many cars are parked?
A) 14 cars
B) 36 cars
C) 45 cars
D) 54 cars
Answer
C) 45 cars - "Rows of" means multiplication: 5 x 9 = 45 cars.
6. A store has 63 apples. They put 7 apples in each bag. How many bags do they need?
A) 7 bags
B) 8 bags
C) 9 bags
D) 10 bags
Answer
C) 9 bags - Finding "how many bags" is division: 63 / 7 = 9 bags.
7. Each table in the cafeteria seats 6 students. There are 8 tables. How many students can sit in the cafeteria?
A) 14 students
B) 42 students
C) 48 students
D) 56 students
Answer
C) 48 students - Finding total seats: 8 tables x 6 students = 48.
8. Grandma made 54 cookies. She wants to share them equally among her 9 grandchildren. How many cookies does each child get?
A) 5 cookies
B) 6 cookies
C) 7 cookies
D) 8 cookies
Answer
B) 6 cookies - "Share equally" means division: 54 / 9 = 6 cookies each.
9. A classroom has 4 groups of desks. Each group has 7 desks. How many desks are in the classroom?
A) 11 desks
B) 21 desks
C) 24 desks
D) 28 desks
Answer
D) 28 desks - "Groups of" means multiplication: 4 x 7 = 28 desks.
10. Mr. Chen has 48 pencils to give to 8 students. If each student gets the same number, how many pencils does each student receive?
A) 4 pencils
B) 5 pencils
C) 6 pencils
D) 7 pencils
Answer
C) 6 pencils - Sharing equally: 48 / 8 = 6 pencils per student.
Next Steps
- Practice identifying key words in word problems
- Create your own word problems for family to solve
- Look for multiplication and division in everyday life
- Continue to Common Mistakes