Are you looking for some practical ideas for teaching word problems in multiplication and division? Word problems put multiplication and division equations into context and help students understand what is happening with the numbers. Students need to start with acting out and then draw pictures and write equations for the word problems. There are several different standards involving multiplication and division word problems for elementary students.
Providing opportunities to do math puzzles daily is one way to help students be more successful with word problems. If students know their facts, they can focus on understanding the problem and not on the computation. So get this Freebie of 71 Math Number Puzzles delivered to your inbox to use with your students.
Students who feel successful in math class are happier and more engaged in learning. Check out The Bonus Guide for Creating a Growth Mindset Classroom and Students Who Love Math for ideas, lessons, and mindset surveys for students to use in your classroom to cultivate a positive classroom community in mathematics. You can also sign up for other freebies from me Here at Easternshoremathteacher.com.
I like to use literature and real-world situations to teach word problems using multiplication and division. For example, students can see 4 plates with 3 cookies on each plate and then connect the repeated addition and multiplication equation to the word problems. Students always connect with problems involving food! After reading a book or describing a situation, students can model the problem using equal groups or arrays and then write the equation.
Word Problems Using Multiplication
Starting in 3rd-grade students learn about the concept of multiplication and begin to solve problems using multiplication with concrete materials.
3.OA.A.1 Interpret products of whole numbers, e.g. interpret 5 X 7 as the total number of objects in 5 groups of 7 objects each. For example, describe a context in which a total number of objects can be expressed as 5 X 7.
Students develop an initial understanding of the multiplication of whole numbers by modeling situations and understanding the meaning of the numbers (factors), and total (product).
The symbol X means groups of (or times).
Teachers should provide students with a variety of multiplication situations to model using concrete materials. Ask students to identify the number of groups, the number of items in each group, and the total number of items. Next, introduce students to numerical representations by writing equations that represent their models.
Check out this Repeated Addition to Multiplication Resource.
Word Problems Using Division
Once students have been introduced to multiplication, they can begin to learn the concept of division by using concrete materials.
3.OA.A.2 Interpret whole-number quotients of whole numbers, e.g. interpret 56➗8 as the number of objects in each share when 56 objects are partitioned equally into 8 shares, or as a number of shares when 56 objects are partitioned into equal shares of 8 objects each. For example, describe a context in which a number of shares or a number of groups can be expressed as 56 ➗8.
Division can be understood by thinking in terms of finding a missing factor (either the number of groups or the number of items in a group). There are two meanings of division fair share and repeated subtraction.
In fair share, you know the total number of items (product), and the number of groups (factor) and you are looking for the number of items to put in each bag (missing factor).
In repeated subtraction, you know the total number of items (product) and the number of items for each group (factor) and you are looking for the number of groups that can be made.
Teachers should provide a variety of division situations for students to model using concrete materials. Opportunities to identify the information in the problem and the missing information should be provided. Next, the information should be connected to symbolic representation and expressions.
Word Problems Division and Multiplication
As students learn about the concept of multiplication and division, they can be introduced to word problems to act out.
3. OA. A. 3 Use multiplication and division within 100 to solve word problems in situations involving equal groups, arrays, and measurement quantities, e.g., by using drawings and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.
It is important for students to have many opportunities to use concrete materials to model the situations and identify the number of groups and the number of items in a group. Then, once students have an understanding, they can begin to draw pictures.
In 4th grade, students continue to solve multiplication and division word problems. In addition, they are introduced to comparison word problems.
4.OA.A.2 Multiply or divide to solve word problems involving comparison, e.g., by using drawings and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.
Teachers should provide a variety of multiplicative comparisons for students to model, describe, and solve. In addition, students should make connections between models (such as bar models) and written equations. Here are some examples of Multiplicative Comparison Problems.
In addition, in 4th-grade, students will multiply a whole number of up to four digits by a one-digit whole number and multiply two two-digit numbers using the area model. Check out this resource to help with using the area model with students.
Don’t forget to incorporate all the different Multiplication and Divison Problem Situations
Word Problems with Two Step Equations
After students have had opportunities to solve multiplication and division word problems, they begin to solve two-step word problems that include more than one operation.
3.OA.D.8 Solve two-step word problems using the four operations. First, represent these problems using equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity. Then, assess the reasonableness of answers using mental computation and estimation strategies, including rounding.
This continues into 4th grade with problems where students need to interpret remainders.
4.OA.A.3 Solve multistep word problems posed with whole numbers and having whole-number answers using the four operations, including problems in which remainders must be interpreted. Represent these problems using equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity. Assess the reasonableness of answers using mental computation and estimation strategies, including rounding.
Read more…What’s the Best Proven Way to Teach Word Problems with Two Step Equations?
Problem Solving Teaching Methods
Teaching students these 4 steps for solving problems allows them to have a process for unpacking complex problems.
As you teach, model the process of using these 4 steps to solve problems. Then, encourage students to use these steps as they solve problems. Click here for Posters, Bookmarks, and Labels to use in your classroom to promote the use of the problem solving steps in math.
Understand the Problem
Read & Think
- Circle the needed information and underline the question.
- Write an answer STEM sentence. There are_____ pages left to read.
Plan Out How to Solve the Problem
Make a Plan
- Use a strategy. (Draw a Picture, Work Backwards, Look for a Pattern, Create a Table, Bar Model)
- Use math tools.
Do the Problem
Solve the Problem
- Show your work to solve the problem. This could include an equation.
Check Your Work on the Problem
Answer & Check
- Write the answer into the answer stem.
- Does your answer make sense?
- Check your work using a different strategy.
Check out these Printables for Problem Solving Steps in Math.
Ideas to Teach Word Problems of Multiplication and Division
Using Literature
There are so many great books to use to teach multiplication and division. Books help students understand what is happening with numbers and connect it to the real world. Two great books to use are:
- Amanda Bean’s Amazing Dream by Cindy Neuschwander is another fun book that will help kids see the importance of multiplication. Amanda Bean loves to count but isn’t sure why she needs to learn multiplication. Until she has a crazy dream full of sheep on bicycles, knitting grannies, and more, and she can’t count them fast enough. The focus of this book is on repeated addition (and why multiplication is a “faster way to count”). The pictures also include lots of examples of arrays.
- The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins is an excellent book for introducing division as sharing equally. Sam and Victoria are just about to sit down and enjoy fresh cookies when two friends arrive, and the four children divide up the cookies four ways. Soon, the doorbell rings again, and then again, and each time the number of cookies per person dwindles.
Click here for a list of books to use when teaching multiplication and division.
Acting it Out or Modeling
Using concrete materials to act our or model problems is essential. For example, after reading a book or giving students a situation, give them materials to act out the problem. For example, after reading The Doorbell Rang, you could provide students with plates and cookies to act out the situation.
Eventually, students can begin to draw pictures and write equations to represent the problems.
Using 4 Steps to Solve Problems
Providing students with a method for unpacking word problems is essential. Model using the 4 steps for solving word problems and support students in using the steps for solving word problems. Click here for Posters, Bookmarks, and Labels to use in your classroom to promote the use of the problem solving steps in math.
Read more…4 Best Steps To Problem Solving in Math That Lead to Results.
Teaching Resources for Multiplication and Division Word Problems
- Division and Multiplication Word Problems- Digital and Print
- Repeated Addition to Multiplication Resource.
- Multiplicative Comparison Problems
- Problem Solving Steps in Math
- Multiplication Area Model
Additional Resources
- How Do You Successfully Teach Word Problems in Addition and Subtraction?
- What’s the Best Proven Way to Teach Word Problems with Two Step Equations?
- 4 Best Steps To Problem Solving in Math That Lead to Results
- How to Solve Multiplication and Divison Word Problems Video
Word Problems with Multiplication and Division
Start with a good book, and have students act out the problem, and you are on your way to building a conceptual understanding of multiplication and division word problems. By using the 4 steps to problem solving with students, you are helping them unpack the problem and make a plan for solving the problem.
Providing opportunities to do math puzzles daily is one way to help students be more successful with word problems. If students know their facts, they can focus on understanding the problem and not on the computation. So get this Freebie of 71 Math Number Puzzles delivered to your inbox to use with your students. You can also sign up to receive other freebies from me Here at Easternshoremathteacher.com.
Check out The Free Ultimate Guide for Creating a Growth Mindset Classroom and Students Who Love Math for ideas, lessons, and mindset surveys to use in your classroom.
Students need to act out and visualize what is happening in word problems to be successful. Using these ideas will help students build their understanding and lay the foundation for more complex problems. What ideas do you have for teaching word problems in multiplication and division?
3 Responses