Mathematics -- Class 3

Topic: Word Problems
Name: ____________________________Class: 3Date: ________________
Learning Objectives
Let Us Begin!

In real life, we do not see problems written as 25 + 13 = ? Instead, we hear things like, "Rani has 25 mangoes and Ravi gives her 13 more. How many does she have now?"

These are called word problems. We need to read the problem carefully, find the clue words, decide the operation (add, subtract, or multiply), and then solve it.

Addition Word Problems

We use addition when we need to find the total or combine two or more groups.

Clue words for addition: total, altogether, in all, sum, combined, how many in all, both together.

Example: Addition

Anita has 145 stickers. Her friend Priya gives her 78 more stickers. How many stickers does Anita have altogether?

Clue word: altogether Operation: Addition

Solution: 145 + 78 = 223. Anita has 223 stickers altogether.

Subtraction Word Problems

We use subtraction when we need to find how many are left or the difference between two numbers.

Clue words for subtraction: left, remaining, how many more, difference, fewer, gave away, lost.

Example: Subtraction

A shopkeeper in Jaipur had 350 bananas. He sold 126 bananas. How many bananas are remaining?

Clue word: remaining Operation: Subtraction

Solution: 350 - 126 = 224. The shopkeeper has 224 bananas remaining.

Multiplication Word Problems

We use multiplication when we have equal groups and need to find the total.

Clue words for multiplication: each, every, groups of, times, per.

Example: Multiplication

There are 5 rows of chairs in a classroom. Each row has 8 chairs. How many chairs are there in all?

Clue word: each Operation: Multiplication

Solution: 5 x 8 = 40. There are 40 chairs in all.

Clue Words Table
OperationClue Words
Addition (+)total, altogether, in all, sum, combined, both together, how many in all
Subtraction (-)left, remaining, difference, fewer, gave away, lost, how many more
Multiplication (x)each, every, groups of, times, per, equal groups
Key Words and Meanings
WordMeaning
Word problemA maths problem written in words instead of just numbers
Clue wordA word in the problem that tells you which operation to use
OperationThe action you perform: addition, subtraction, or multiplication
AltogetherThe total when things are added together
RemainingWhat is left after taking some away

Mathematics -- Class 3 (continued)

Topic: Word Problems -- Key Points and Practice
Key Points to Remember
Practice Problems

Solve the following word problems. Show your working.

  1. Ravi collected 234 stamps. His sister Meena collected 189 stamps. How many stamps did they collect altogether?
  2. A fruit seller had 475 oranges. He sold 238 oranges. How many oranges are left?
  3. There are 6 baskets. Each basket has 9 mangoes. How many mangoes are there in all?
  4. Anu had 56 rupees. Her mother gave her 35 more rupees. What is the total amount Anu has now?
  5. A library has 512 Hindi books and 347 English books. How many books are there in all?
  6. Karan had 160 marbles. He gave 75 marbles to his friend. How many marbles does Karan have remaining?
  7. A farmer plants 7 rows of tomato plants. Each row has 8 plants. How many tomato plants are there in total?
  8. In a school, there are 268 boys and 245 girls. How many students are there altogether?
  9. Priya had 300 beads. She used 154 beads to make a necklace. How many beads are left?
  10. A bus makes 4 trips a day. It carries 45 passengers each trip. How many passengers does it carry in a day?
Think and Do -- Create Your Own Word Problems

Write one word problem for each operation using things from your daily life.

1. An addition word problem:

2. A subtraction word problem:

3. A multiplication word problem: