Practise Solving Multiplication and Division Word Problems

In this activity, we will be solving multiplication and division word problems. 

Let's have a look at the steps needed to tackle word problems:

1. Read the problem carefully. 

2. Is this a division or multiplication word problem?

3. What is the number sentence for this word problem?

4. Now, solve the problem by working out the answer. 

5. Check, read the question again, and check the answer makes sense. 

Here are a few things to remember: 

Multiply means 'lots of' or 'groups of' and the answer will always be bigger. 

Divide means 'shared by' and the answer will always be smaller. 

Now, let's have a look at some examples. 

Example 1 

There are 8 cats. 

Each cat has 2 eyes. 

How many eyes do the cats have altogether?

Let's go through the steps to work this out: 

1. Read the problem.

2. This is a multiplication sentence as there are 8 'groups of' 2 eyes and we need to work out how many altogether. 

3. 8 'groups of' 2 would be written: 8 x 2 = 

4. 8 x 2 = 16 

5. There are 16 eyes altogether - yes it works. 

Example 2 

There are 20 fish. 

Each fishbowl holds 5 fish. 

How many fish bowls are needed for the 20 fish?

Let's go through the steps to work this out: 

1. Read the problem.

2. This is a division sentence as we are starting with 20 fish and sharing the fish into groups of 5. 

3. 20 shared by 5 would be written: 20 ÷ 5 = 

4. Remember, this means, how many 5s are in 20? 20 ÷ 5 = 4

5. 4 fish bowls will be needed - yes this works. 

Let's have a go at some multiplication and division word problems!