Word Problems
Learn
Word problems help us apply multiplication to real-life situations. Learning to solve word problems is an important skill for the SAT and ACT, where math is often presented in context.
Steps to Solve Word Problems
- Read carefully: Understand what the problem is asking
- Identify the numbers: Find the quantities you need to multiply
- Look for keywords: Words like "each," "per," "every," and "total" often signal multiplication
- Set up the equation: Write out the multiplication problem
- Solve and check: Calculate the answer and make sure it makes sense
Common Multiplication Keywords
- Each / Every / Per: "5 boxes with 24 items each" means 5 x 24
- Times: "3 times as many" means multiply by 3
- Total / In all: Often indicates you need to find a product
- Groups of: "12 groups of 15" means 12 x 15
Examples
Example 1: School Supplies
Problem: A school ordered 35 boxes of pencils. Each box contains 48 pencils. How many pencils did the school order in total?
Solution:
- Identify: 35 boxes, 48 pencils per box
- Set up: 35 x 48
- Calculate: 35 x 48 = 1,680
Answer: 1,680 pencils
Example 2: Movie Theater
Problem: A movie theater has 26 rows of seats. Each row has 32 seats. How many seats are in the theater?
Solution:
- Identify: 26 rows, 32 seats per row
- Set up: 26 x 32
- Calculate: 26 x 32 = 832
Answer: 832 seats
Practice
Solve these word problems. Click on each question to reveal the answer.
Question 1: A bookstore received 18 boxes of books. Each box contains 24 books. How many books did the bookstore receive?
Answer: 432 books
Solution: 18 x 24 = 432. The bookstore received 432 books in total.
Question 2: A farmer plants 45 rows of corn. Each row has 36 corn plants. How many corn plants did the farmer plant?
Answer: 1,620 corn plants
Solution: 45 x 36 = 1,620. The farmer planted 1,620 corn plants.
Question 3: A parking garage has 15 levels. Each level can hold 125 cars. What is the total capacity of the parking garage?
Answer: 1,875 cars
Solution: 15 x 125 = 1,875. The garage can hold 1,875 cars.
Question 4: A bakery makes 28 batches of cookies per day. Each batch contains 36 cookies. How many cookies does the bakery make in one day?
Answer: 1,008 cookies
Solution: 28 x 36 = 1,008. The bakery makes 1,008 cookies per day.
Question 5: A school has 32 classrooms. Each classroom has 25 desks. How many desks are in the school?
Answer: 800 desks
Solution: 32 x 25 = 800. The school has 800 desks in total.
Question 6: A delivery truck makes 14 trips per week. Each trip covers 238 miles. How many miles does the truck travel in one week?
Answer: 3,332 miles
Solution: 14 x 238 = 3,332. The truck travels 3,332 miles per week.
Question 7: A company produces 156 widgets per hour. How many widgets does the company produce in a 24-hour day?
Answer: 3,744 widgets
Solution: 156 x 24 = 3,744. The company produces 3,744 widgets per day.
Question 8: An apartment building has 18 floors. Each floor has 12 apartments. How many apartments are in the building?
Answer: 216 apartments
Solution: 18 x 12 = 216. The building has 216 apartments.
Question 9: A concert hall has 52 rows of seats. Each row has 48 seats. How many people can the concert hall hold?
Answer: 2,496 people
Solution: 52 x 48 = 2,496. The concert hall can hold 2,496 people.
Question 10: A warehouse stores 175 pallets. Each pallet holds 64 boxes. How many boxes are stored in the warehouse?
Answer: 11,200 boxes
Solution: 175 x 64 = 11,200. The warehouse stores 11,200 boxes.
Check Your Understanding
Before moving on, make sure you can:
- Identify multiplication word problems
- Find the key numbers in a word problem
- Recognize keywords that signal multiplication
- Set up and solve multi-digit multiplication problems from word descriptions
- Check that your answer makes sense in context
Next Steps
- Review any concepts that felt challenging
- Move on to the next lesson when ready
- Return to practice problems periodically for review