Grade 4
  1. Numbers and Place Value  1.1. Understanding Place Value  1.2. Reading and Writing Large Numbers  1.3. Comparing and Ordering Numbers  1.4. Rounding Numbers  1.5. Understanding Odd and Even Numbers  1.6. Number Patterns and Sequences
  2. Addition and Subtraction  2.1. Addition of Large Numbers  2.2. Subtraction of Large Numbers  2.3. Estimation in Addition and Subtraction  2.4. Word Problems on Addition and Subtraction
  3. Multiplication and Division  3.1. Understanding Multiplication  3.2. Multiplying Multi-Digit Numbers  3.3. Understanding Division  3.4. Dividing Multi-Digit Numbers  3.5. Multiplication and Division Facts  3.6. Word Problems on Multiplication and Division
  4. Factors and Multiples  4.1. Understanding Factors  4.2. Finding Common Factors  4.3. Understanding Multiples  4.4. Finding Common Multiples  4.5. Prime and Composite Numbers  4.6. Prime Factorization  4.7. Greatest Common Factor  4.8. Least Common Multiple
  5. Fractions  5.1. Understanding Fractions  5.2. Equivalent Fractions  5.3. Simplifying Fractions  5.4. Comparing and Ordering Fractions  5.5. Addition of Fractions  5.6. Subtraction of Fractions  5.7. Mixed Numbers and Improper Fractions  5.8. Converting Mixed Numbers to Improper Fractions  5.9. Word Problems on Fractions
  6. Decimals  6.1. Understanding Decimals  6.2. Reading and Writing Decimals  6.3. Comparing and Ordering Decimals  6.4. Rounding Decimals  6.5. Addition of Decimals  6.6. Subtraction of Decimals  6.7. Converting Decimals to Fractions  6.8. Converting Fractions to Decimals  6.9. Word Problems on Decimals
  7. Measurement  7.1. Length  7.1.1. Units of Length  7.1.2. Converting Units of Length  7.1.3. Perimeter  7.1.4. Area  7.1.5. Word Problems on Length  7.2. Weight  7.2.1. Units of Weight  7.2.2. Converting Units of Weight  7.2.3. Word Problems on Weight  7.3. Volume and Capacity  7.3.1. Units of Volume  7.3.2. Converting Units of Volume  7.3.3. Estimating Volume and Capacity  7.3.4. Word Problems on Volume and Capacity  7.4. Time  7.4.1. Reading Time  7.4.2. Units of Time  7.4.3. Converting Units of Time  7.4.4. Calculating Elapsed Time  7.4.5. Word Problems on Time
  8. Geometry  8.1. Properties of Shapes  8.1.1. Types of Angles  8.1.2. Types of Triangles  8.1.4. Symmetry  8.1.5. Lines of Symmetry  8.2. Perimeter and Area  8.2.1. Perimeter of Rectangles  8.2.2. Perimeter of Other Shapes  8.2.3. Area of Rectangles  8.2.4. Area of Other Shapes  8.2.5. Area of Irregular Shapes  8.3. Coordinate Geometry  8.3.1. Understanding Coordinates  8.3.2. Plotting Points on a Grid  8.3.3. Identifying Shapes on a Grid
  9. Data and Graphs  9.1. Types of Data  9.2. Organizing Data  9.3. Reading Bar Graphs  9.4. Drawing Bar Graphs  9.5. Line Plots  9.7. Reading and Interpreting Line Graphs  9.8. Word Problems on Graphs
  10. Money  10.1. Understanding Money  10.2. Addition and Subtraction with Money  10.3. Making Change  10.4. Multiplying and Dividing Money  10.5. Word Problems on Money

Grade 4 → Multiplication and Division ↓


Word Problems on Multiplication and Division


Word problems are one of the most important parts of learning math because they allow students to apply what they've learned in real-world contexts. This guide is designed to help fourth grade students understand how to solve word problems involving multiplication and division. By the end of this explanation, you should be fully prepared to solve word problems and actually enjoy the process!

Understanding word problems

First, let's talk about understanding word problems. Sometimes it can be challenging to figure out what the problem is asking. Here's a simple process to help you:

  1. Read the problem carefully: Sometimes you need to read the problem several times to understand what is being asked.
  2. Identify the operation: Decide whether you need to multiply or divide. Look for keywords like "overall," "each," "denominator," for multiplication, and "divided," "shared," "each," for division.
  3. Find important numbers: Identify all the numbers needed to solve the problem.
  4. Plan your solution: Plan how you will solve the problem based on the work required.
  5. Check your work: Always go back and make sure your answer makes sense in the context of the problem.

Keyword identification example

Consider the following phrases and decide on the operation:

  • "Each child has 5 candies." - This suggests multiplication if you know the number of children.
  • "Divide 20 apples among 4 children." - This indicates division.

Using multiplication in word problems

When solving multiplication word problems, you are often asked to find the total number of objects when you have several groups of the same size. Here is a step-by-step process.

Example 1: Multiplication

Problem: There are 4 baskets, and each basket has 6 apples. How many apples are there in total?

Solution steps:

  1. Recognize numbers and operations: 4 baskets and 6 apples each, so use multiplication.
  2. Write down the multiplication expression.
    3. 4 x 6
  3. Solve the expression: Multiply 4 by 6 to find the total number of apples.
    4. = 24
  4. Answer: There are 24 apples in total.
1 2 3 4 5 6 There are 6 items in each group. Total 4 groups = 4 x 6 = 24

Example 2: Multiplication by large numbers

Problem: If 120 books are arranged evenly on 10 shelves, how many books are there on each shelf?

Solution steps:

  1. Identify the numbers: 120 books and 10 shelves. You can divide, but in the language of multiplication, it is to find the number of groups.
  2. Write the multiplication expression using the related multiplication fact.
    3. Books on each shelf = Total books / Number of shelves
  3. Solve the expression:
    4. = 120 ÷ 10 = 12
  4. Answer: There are 12 books on each shelf.

Using division in word problems

Division problems often require you to divide or share objects equally among groups. Here's how you can solve such problems.

Example 1: Simple division

Problem: A cake is to be divided equally among 8 children. If the cake has 32 slices, how many slices will each child get?

Solution steps:

  1. Recognize operations and numbers: 32 slices, 8 kids, divide cake equally.
  2. Write the division expression.
    3. 32 ÷ 8
  3. Solve the expression: Divide 32 by 8 to find the number of slices per child.
    4. = 4
  4. Answer: Each child will get 4 slices.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 32 slices = 8 groups, each group will get 4 slices

Example 2: Division with remainder

Problem: A teacher wants to distribute 25 pencils equally to 6 students. How many pencils will each student get and how many will be left?

Solution steps:

  1. Identify the numbers involved: 25 pencils, divided among 6 students.
  2. Write the division expression.
    3. 25 ÷ 6
  3. Solve the division:
    4. 4 remainder 1
  4. Answer: Each student gets 4 pencils and 1 pencil is left.

Combining multiplication and division

Sometimes both multiplication and division have to be used to reach the solution of word problems.

Example 1: Combined operations

Problem: A farmer packs eggs into cartons. Each carton contains 12 eggs. He has a dozen cartons. How many eggs does he have in total?

Solution steps:

  1. First, multiply to find the total number of eggs.
    2. 12 eggs/carton x 12 cartons = 144 eggs
  2. Second part of the question: How many people can get 6 eggs?
    3. 144 ÷ 6 = 24 people
  3. Answer: The farmer can pack 144 eggs and give 6 eggs to 24 people.

Example 2: Advanced combined operation

Question: There are 28 chairs arranged in 4 rows in a classroom, how many chairs are there in each row? If 2 students can sit on each chair, how many students can sit?

Solution steps:

  1. Find the number of chairs in each row using the quotient:
    2. 28 ÷ 4 = 7 chairs per row
  2. Use multiplication to determine how many students can seat:
    3. 7 chairs/row x 2 students/chair = 14 students/row
  3. Total seating capacity:
    4. 14 x 4 rows = 56 students
  4. Answer: There are 7 chairs in each row and a total of 56 students can sit on them.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

This section answers some common questions that students have in their mind while solving word problems.

Can I break down more complex problems and solve them?

Yes, breaking down complex problems into smaller parts can help you understand the problem and solve it more easily. Break the problem down into recognizable steps by using multiplication and division to handle each part separately.

Can estimation help solve word problems?

Estimating can give you a quick and rough idea of the answer, which helps you verify if the exact answer makes sense. This can come in handy when checking your work.

Practice problems

Now it's your turn! Try solving these practice problems by following the steps you've learned:

  1. There are 560 books in a library. If 8 books are placed on each shelf, how many shelves will be required?
  2. If there are 9 candies in a packet and the number of packets is 7, then how many candies are there in total?
  3. A farmer plants 15 rows of carrots, each row containing 8 carrots. How many carrots are there in all?
  4. There are a total of 35 students and they must be divided into groups of 6. How many complete groups can be formed? How many students will not be in a group?
  5. A bicycle has two wheels. If there are 14 bicycles, how many wheels are there in total?

Practice regularly, and remember, the more you practice, the better you will become at solving word problems involving multiplication and division!


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Word Problems on Multiplication and Division

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