Mathematics
Advanced
50 mins
Teacher/Student led
Learning Goals
Learning Outcomes
Lesson Files
+95 XP
Teacher-led from the board. Pupils do not need a device, but can follow on one.
What you need:
IWB/Projector/Large Screen

Multi-step Word Problems and Choosing the Operation

Learn to plan multi-step word problems in the right order, choose the correct operation for each step, and use estimates to check your answers make sense.

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    Your written work is on page 26

    1 - Getting Started ~4 mins

    Illustration for Getting StartedHere is a real shopping moment: you buy 4 sandwiches at €3 each, then you split the bill evenly between 2 people. Before we work anything out, hands up: which calculation would you do first, and which one comes second?

    👇 Mark your steps as done as you complete them.

    +5 XP

    2 - Watch and Notice ~9 mins

    We will work through three money problems together, each built in stages on the board. Watch for the signal words that tell us which operation each step needs, and make a rough estimate before every answer is revealed. Predict each result before you see it.

    Three money problems

    👇 Mark your steps as done as you complete them.

    +10 XP

    3 - Try It Together ~11 mins

    Key point

    The zeros and the cent columns catch people out, so let's say every step aloud before we check it, and make a rough estimate first each time.

    Today we'll work through three problems together, planning the steps out loud before we calculate. First, eight pencils cost sixty cent each, and the total is shared between four friends. Next, five stickers cost €1.40 each, so how much change from €10? Last comes our trip problem: a €120 bus plus €6 entry for each of thirty pupils, so what does the trip cost each pupil?

    Plan the steps for each shopping and trip problem, name the operation for each step, then work it out.

    1. 8 pencils cost 60c each. The total is shared equally between 4 friends. How much does each friend pay?
    2. 5 stickers cost €1.40 each. How much change do you get from €10?
    3. A class trip has a €120 bus plus €6 entry for each of 30 pupils. What is the cost per pupil?

    Ways to start:

    • Read the problem twice and underline the question at the end.
    • Sketch a bar to show what each step produces before you calculate: one bar for the total, then split or take away for step two.
    • Ask: which calculation do I need first, and what does its answer let me do next?

    Stretch:

    • Estimate the answer roughly before you calculate — does your exact answer land near it?
    Answers & strategies (teacher)
    1. 8 pencils cost 60c each. The total is shared equally between 4 friends. How much does each friend pay? — €1.20 (8 × 60c = €4.80, then €4.80 ÷ 4 = €1.20)
    2. 5 stickers cost €1.40 each. How much change do you get from €10? — €3.00 (5 × €1.40 = €7.00, then €10 − €7.00 = €3.00)
    3. A class trip has a €120 bus plus €6 entry for each of 30 pupils. What is the cost per pupil? — €10.00 (30 × €6 = €180, + €120 = €300, then €300 ÷ 30 = €10.00)
    +15 XP

    4 - Plan the Steps in Your Copy ~3 mins

    COPYBOOK MOMENT

    In your maths copy, for each problem write the steps as a short plan (Step 1: …, Step 2: …) with the operation named, sketch a bar to show what each step produces, then show the working and box the final answer.

    +10 XP
    Pupil practice
    Module 2 · Operations and Computational Fluency Number
    Lesson 27 · Multi-step Word Problems and Choosing the Operation
    Download Activity Book page (PDF)
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