Mixed Word Problems (Grade 3)
Mixed word problems are problems that may need addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division — sometimes more than one operation in a single problem. They test your ability to read carefully, understand what is being asked, and choose the right operations.
In Class 3, mixed word problems use numbers up to 1000 and involve everyday situations like shopping, sharing, measuring, and counting.
The key skill is reading the problem carefully and identifying what you know, what you need to find, and which operation to use.
What is Mixed Word Problems - Class 3 Maths (Addition and Subtraction (Grade 3))?
A word problem describes a real-life situation using words. A mixed word problem may require any combination of:
- Addition (+) — finding total, combining
- Subtraction (−) — finding difference, remaining, less
- Multiplication (×) — equal groups, repeated addition
- Division (÷) — sharing equally, making groups
Read → Think → Operate → Answer → Check
Types and Properties
Clue Words for Each Operation
| Operation | Clue Words |
|---|---|
| Addition | total, altogether, in all, combined, sum, more |
| Subtraction | left, remaining, difference, fewer, less than, how many more |
| Multiplication | each, per, times, every, groups of |
| Division | share equally, divided, per group, split |
Multi-step problems need two or more operations to solve.
Solved Examples
Example 1: Example 1: Addition
Question: Ria collected 245 stamps and Aman collected 178 stamps. How many stamps did they collect altogether?
Think:
- Clue: "altogether" → add
- 245 + 178 = 423
Answer: They collected 423 stamps altogether.
Example 2: Example 2: Subtraction
Question: A school has 520 students. 287 are boys. How many are girls?
Think:
- Clue: finding remaining → subtract
- 520 − 287 = 233
Answer: There are 233 girls.
Example 3: Example 3: Multiplication
Question: Priya packs 8 tiffin boxes with 6 sandwiches each. How many sandwiches in total?
Think:
- Clue: "each" → multiply
- 8 × 6 = 48
Answer: There are 48 sandwiches in total.
Example 4: Example 4: Division
Question: Dev has 72 marbles. He shares them equally among 9 friends. How many does each friend get?
Think:
- Clue: "shares equally" → divide
- 72 ÷ 9 = 8
Answer: Each friend gets 8 marbles.
Example 5: Example 5: Two-Step Problem (Add then Subtract)
Question: Aditi had 150 beads. She bought 75 more. Then she gave 60 to her sister. How many does she have now?
Think:
- Step 1: 150 + 75 = 225
- Step 2: 225 − 60 = 165
Answer: Aditi has 165 beads.
Example 6: Example 6: Two-Step Problem (Multiply then Add)
Question: Rahul buys 5 pens at ₹12 each and a pencil box for ₹45. What is the total cost?
Think:
- Step 1: Cost of pens = 5 × 12 = ₹60
- Step 2: Total = 60 + 45 = ₹105
Answer: Total cost = ₹105.
Example 7: Example 7: Two-Step Problem (Multiply then Subtract)
Question: Meera has ₹200. She buys 4 books at ₹35 each. How much money is left?
Think:
- Step 1: Cost of books = 4 × 35 = ₹140
- Step 2: Money left = 200 − 140 = ₹60
Answer: Meera has ₹60 left.
Example 8: Example 8: Comparison Problem
Question: Class 3A has 42 students. Class 3B has 37 students. How many more students does 3A have than 3B?
Think:
- Clue: "how many more" → subtract
- 42 − 37 = 5
Answer: Class 3A has 5 more students.
Example 9: Example 9: Two-Step (Divide then Add)
Question: Neha has 36 stickers. She divides them equally among 4 friends and keeps 10 for herself. How many does each friend get?
Think:
- Stickers for friends = 36 − 10 = 26
- Wait — re-read: she divides 36 among 4 friends AND keeps 10. So does she divide 36 or 26?
- Re-reading: "divides them equally among 4 friends and keeps 10" means she gives some to friends and keeps 10
- Stickers given to friends = 36 − 10 = 26
- Each friend gets 26 ÷ 4 = 6 remainder 2
Answer: Each friend gets 6 stickers (with 2 left over).
Example 10: Example 10: Three-Step Problem
Question: Kavi earns ₹8 per day for 5 days. He spends ₹15 on a toy and ₹10 on snacks. How much money does he save?
Think:
- Step 1: Earnings = 8 × 5 = ₹40
- Step 2: Total spending = 15 + 10 = ₹25
- Step 3: Savings = 40 − 25 = ₹15
Answer: Kavi saves ₹15.
Real-World Applications
Where Do Mixed Word Problems Apply?
- Shopping: Buying multiple items, calculating totals and change.
- School: Counting students, distributing supplies.
- Games: Keeping score in cricket, tracking points.
- Cooking: Scaling recipes up or down.
- Saving money: Tracking earnings, spending, and savings.
Key Points to Remember
- Read the problem carefully — underline important numbers and keywords.
- Identify the operation using clue words (total = add, left = subtract, each = multiply, share = divide).
- For multi-step problems, solve one step at a time.
- Always check your answer — does it make sense?
- Write the answer with the correct unit (₹, cm, kg, etc.).
- If unsure which operation to use, try acting out the problem with smaller numbers.
Practice Problems
- A shop sells 345 biscuit packets on Monday and 278 on Tuesday. How many in total?
- Arjun has 500 stickers. He gives 175 to his friend. How many are left?
- 6 children each have 9 crayons. How many crayons in total?
- 84 apples are shared equally among 7 baskets. How many in each basket?
- Ria buys 3 ribbons at ₹15 each and a pair of scissors for ₹25. What is the total cost?
- Dev has ₹100. He buys 2 ice creams at ₹30 each. How much is left?
- A library has 450 books. 120 are borrowed. Then 55 new books arrive. How many books are in the library now?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How do I know which operation to use in a word problem?
Look for clue words. 'Altogether' or 'total' suggests addition. 'Left' or 'remaining' suggests subtraction. 'Each' or 'per' suggests multiplication. 'Share equally' suggests division.
Q2. What is a multi-step word problem?
A multi-step problem requires two or more operations to find the answer. For example: buy items (multiply), then find change (subtract).
Q3. What should I do first when solving a word problem?
Read the problem carefully. Identify what you know and what you need to find. Then choose the operation and solve step by step.
Q4. How do I check my answer?
Use the inverse operation. If you added, subtract to check. If you multiplied, divide to check. Also ask: does the answer make sense in the context of the problem?
Q5. What if I get confused by a long word problem?
Break it into parts. Underline the numbers and key words. Solve one step at a time. Drawing a picture or diagram can also help.
Q6. Can a word problem need both addition and subtraction?
Yes. For example: Ria had 50 sweets, got 20 more, then gave away 15. You add first (50+20=70), then subtract (70−15=55).
Q7. Why are word problems important?
Word problems connect maths to real life. They teach you to think logically, choose the right operation, and apply maths skills to practical situations.
Q8. What units should I use in my answer?
Use the same units as in the problem. If the problem is about money, use ₹. If about length, use cm or m. If about weight, use kg or g.
Q9. Is drawing a picture helpful?
Yes. Drawing diagrams, number lines, or simple pictures can help you understand the problem and see the solution more clearly.
Related Topics
- Addition Word Problems (Grade 3)
- Multiplication Word Problems (Grade 3)
- Addition of 3-Digit Numbers
- Addition Without Regrouping (3-Digit)
- Addition With Regrouping (3-Digit)
- Subtraction of 3-Digit Numbers
- Subtraction With Regrouping (3-Digit)
- Subtraction Without Regrouping (3-Digit)
- Subtraction Word Problems (Grade 3)
- Mental Math (Grade 3)
- Adding 4 or More Numbers
- Checking Addition and Subtraction
