Improve Your Ability to Solve Two-Step Word Problems

 We are using maths all the time, although we often don't realise it!

Just think about when we buy a new comic book.  We need to make sure we have enough money to pay for it and be able to check that we are given the correct change! 

What about playing a board game - we need to be able to add up the scores correctly!

These are just some examples of how we use maths every day.

In this activity, we are going to practise using addition and subtraction to answer everyday word problems. 

In each question, we will have to do more than one calculation, so reading the question carefully is very important!

Example

Harley is saving up to buy a new scooter.

He receives £85 birthday money and saves £54 pocket money.

The scooter is on offer at £159.

How much more money does Harley need in order to buy the scooter?

Answer

We need to identify the key information.

Harley receives a total of £139 (85 + 54)

The scooter costs £159

The question asks us to find how much more money Harley needs, so we need to find the difference, which means subtraction.

£159 - £139 = £20

Harley needs another £20.

Now let's look at another example.

There is quite a lot of information here, so the important stuff is highlighted for us.  

We need to read the question carefully and think about what it is asking us to do.

Pens cost 75 pence each and pencils cost 32 pence each.

How much change would we get from £5 if we bought 4 pens and 5 pencils?

Answer

First, we need to work out the cost of 4 pens.

75p + 75p + 75p + 75p =  300p  (£3.00)

Next, we work out the cost of 5 pencils.

32p + 32p + 32p + 32p + 32p = 160p (£1.60)

Next, we add together the two totals.

£3.00 + £1.60 = £4.60

Finally, we subtract £4.60 from £5 to find out how much change there would be.

500 - 460 = 40

£5 - £4.60 = 40p

There would be 40p change.

Does that make sense?

Then, let's get started!

Remember to read the question carefully and highlight the important information!