🔢 MathGrade 4Lesson 11
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Solve Multi-Step Word Problems

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Learning Objectives

  • 1Identify the key information and unknown in a multi-step word problem
  • 2Plan and write the operations needed to solve a multi-step problem
  • 3Solve two-step word problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
  • 4Check answers for reasonableness using estimation
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Mini Lesson

Multi-step word problems require more than one operation to reach the answer. Using a 4-step method keeps your thinking organized and helps you avoid mistakes.

The 4-Step Problem-Solving Method

  1. Step 1 — Identify: What do I know? What am I finding?
  2. Step 2 — Plan: Which operations will I use and in what order?
  3. Step 3 — Solve: Work through each step, showing all work.
  4. Step 4 — Check: Does the answer make sense? Estimate to verify.

Worked Example

Problem: "A bakery makes 240 muffins each day. They sell 185 on Monday and 42 on Tuesday. How many are left?"

  • Identify: Total made = 240, sold Mon = 185, sold Tue = 42, find: muffins remaining.
  • Plan: First add the muffins sold (185 + 42), then subtract from 240.
  • Solve: 185 + 42 = 227 sold; 240 − 227 = 13 left.
  • Check: ~190 + 40 = 230; 240 − 230 ≈ 10. Close to 13 — answer is reasonable.
4-Step Problem-Solving Framework4-Step Problem-Solving Method1. Identify2. Plan3. Solve4. CheckWhat do I know?What am I finding?Which operations?In what order?Work each step.Show your work.Is itreasonable?Estimateto verify.Follow all 4 steps for every word problem.Never skip the Check step!
Worked Muffin Problem — 4 StepsMuffin Problem — Worked Example1. IdentifyMade=240, Sold Mon=185, Tue=422. Plan185+42=sold; 240-sold=left3. Solve185+42=227; 240-227=134. Check~190+40=230; 240-230~10 ok
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Tip: write out each step before you calculate. Reading the problem twice helps you catch all the information.

Vocabulary
Word problem
A math problem written in sentences from a real-life situatione.g. A word problem about muffins needs careful reading.
Multi-step
Needing more than one operation to reach the answere.g. A multi-step problem might add, then subtract.
Operation
One of the four actions: add, subtract, multiply, or dividee.g. I picked subtraction as my next operation.
Plan
A clear list of the steps you will follow to solve a probleme.g. My plan was: add first, then subtract.
Reasonable
An answer close to a sensible estimate for the situatione.g. 13 muffins left is reasonable for the problem.
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