Multiplication Word Problems
Skill: Solving equal-groups and array word problems with multiplication
Download PDF worksheetAnswer key (PDF)
Free for personal and classroom use. Print at 100% / "Actual size" on US Letter paper.
About this worksheet
Knowing multiplication facts is only part of the story. Students also need to recognize when a real situation calls for multiplication. This third-grade worksheet has eight original word problems about everyday things, such as chairs around tables, rows of tomato plants, packs of stickers, and trays of muffins. For each problem, students write a multiplication equation and then the answer with its unit.
Every problem describes equal groups or an array: a number of groups with the same number in each group. All factors are 10 or less, so students can focus on understanding the situation rather than on difficult computation.
How to use it: encourage students to read each problem twice. The first time, they get the story; the second time, they look for two key pieces of information: how many groups there are and how many are in each group. Drawing a quick picture, such as circles with dots inside or a small array, helps students see the structure. Remind them to include a unit in the answer, like 35 tomato plants, so the answer makes sense in the story.
The answer key shows a multiplication equation and the answer with its unit for each problem. Because multiplication is commutative, an equation with the factors in the other order is also correct. This worksheet supports Common Core standard 3.OA.A.3 (use multiplication and division within 100 to solve word problems in situations involving equal groups, arrays, and measurement quantities).
Count and Trace Numbers 1-10
Addition Within 10
Subtraction Within 10