Multiplication Word Problems (Grade 4)
Multiplication word problems require students to read a real-life situation, identify that multiplication is needed, and solve it correctly. In Class 4, these problems involve multiplying numbers up to 3 digits by 1-digit or 2-digit numbers.
The key skill is recognising when to multiply: whenever equal groups, repeated addition, rows and columns, or rate-based situations appear in a problem.
What is Multiplication Word Problems (Grade 4) - Class 4 Maths (Multiplication (Grade 4))?
A multiplication word problem describes a situation in words where you need to find a total by multiplying two or more numbers. The problem gives clues through phrases such as:
- "each" — 5 bags with 24 oranges each
- "every" — ₹35 saved every week
- "per" — 120 km per hour
- "times" — 3 times as many
- "rows of" — 12 rows of 18 chairs
Types and Properties
Common types of multiplication word problems in Class 4:
- Equal groups: Finding the total when a certain number of groups each have the same quantity.
- Rate problems: Calculating total cost, distance, or weight at a given rate.
- Array/arrangement: Finding total items arranged in rows and columns.
- Comparison (times as many): One quantity is a multiple of another.
- Multi-step problems: Problems that need both multiplication and addition or subtraction.
Solved Examples
Example 1: Example 1: Equal Groups
Problem: Priya has 8 packets of stickers. Each packet has 125 stickers. How many stickers does she have in all?
Solution:
Number of packets = 8
Stickers in each packet = 125
Total stickers = 125 × 8 = 1,000
Answer: Priya has 1,000 stickers.
Example 2: Example 2: Cost Calculation
Problem: A notebook costs ₹45. Rahul buys 36 notebooks for his class. How much does he pay?
Solution:
Cost of 1 notebook = ₹45
Number of notebooks = 36
Total cost = 45 × 36
45 × 6 = 270; 45 × 30 = 1,350
270 + 1,350 = 1,620
Answer: Rahul pays ₹1,620.
Example 3: Example 3: Arrangement in Rows
Problem: In a school assembly, students stand in 15 rows. Each row has 28 students. How many students are there?
Solution:
Rows = 15, Students per row = 28
Total = 28 × 15
28 × 5 = 140; 28 × 10 = 280
140 + 280 = 420
Answer: There are 420 students.
Example 4: Example 4: Distance Problem
Problem: An auto-rickshaw travels 165 km each day. How far does it travel in 7 days?
Solution:
Distance per day = 165 km
Number of days = 7
Total distance = 165 × 7 = 1,155
Answer: The auto-rickshaw travels 1,155 km in 7 days.
Example 5: Example 5: Comparison (Times As Many)
Problem: Kavi has 48 marbles. Dev has 5 times as many marbles as Kavi. How many marbles does Dev have?
Solution:
Kavi's marbles = 48
Dev's marbles = 5 × 48 = 240
Answer: Dev has 240 marbles.
Example 6: Example 6: Weight Problem
Problem: Each box of mangoes weighs 375 grams. Neha packs 12 such boxes. What is the total weight?
Solution:
Weight per box = 375 g
Number of boxes = 12
Total weight = 375 × 12
375 × 2 = 750; 375 × 10 = 3,750
750 + 3,750 = 4,500
Answer: Total weight = 4,500 grams (or 4 kg 500 g).
Example 7: Example 7: Multi-Step Problem
Problem: Aditi buys 6 pens at ₹35 each and 4 erasers at ₹12 each. How much does she spend in total?
Solution:
Cost of pens = 6 × 35 = ₹210
Cost of erasers = 4 × 12 = ₹48
Total = 210 + 48 = ₹258
Answer: Aditi spends ₹258 in total.
Example 8: Example 8: Saving Money
Problem: Arjun saves ₹150 every month. How much does he save in one year (12 months)?
Solution:
Monthly saving = ₹150
Number of months = 12
Total saving = 150 × 12
150 × 2 = 300; 150 × 10 = 1,500
300 + 1,500 = 1,800
Answer: Arjun saves ₹1,800 in a year.
Example 9: Example 9: Tiffin Box Problem
Problem: A school canteen prepares 250 chapatis every day. How many chapatis are prepared in 24 school days?
Solution:
Chapatis per day = 250
School days = 24
Total = 250 × 24
250 × 4 = 1,000; 250 × 20 = 5,000
1,000 + 5,000 = 6,000
Answer: The canteen prepares 6,000 chapatis.
Example 10: Example 10: Multi-Step with Remaining Money
Problem: Meera has ₹5,000. She buys 8 books at ₹475 each. How much money is left?
Solution:
Step 1: Cost of books = 475 × 8 = 3,800
Step 2: Money left = 5,000 − 3,800 = 1,200
Answer: Meera has ₹1,200 left.
Real-World Applications
Multiplication word problems appear in everyday life:
- Shopping: Calculating total bills at a store.
- Cooking: Scaling recipes for more people.
- Planning: Estimating seats needed for an event based on rows and columns.
- Saving: Computing how much money accumulates over weeks or months.
Key Points to Remember
- Look for keywords: each, every, per, times, rows of, groups of — these signal multiplication.
- Identify the two numbers to multiply: the number of groups and the size of each group.
- Estimate before solving to check if the answer is reasonable.
- In multi-step problems, do multiplication first, then add or subtract as needed.
- Always write the unit in the answer (₹, km, kg, etc.).
- Re-read the question after solving to make sure you answered what was asked.
Practice Problems
- A fruit seller packs 148 oranges in each crate. He has 9 crates. How many oranges in total?
- Each student needs 15 pages for a project. There are 32 students. How many pages are needed?
- Ria earns ₹275 per day. How much does she earn in 26 working days?
- A bus carries 56 passengers. If 14 buses are running, how many passengers can they carry altogether?
- Dev has 85 cricket cards. Aman has 4 times as many. How many cards does Aman have?
- A factory makes 350 biscuits per hour. How many biscuits are made in 8 hours?
- Priya buys 5 packs of colour pencils at ₹120 each and 3 drawing books at ₹65 each. Find the total cost.
- A train travels 185 km in one trip. How far does it travel in 15 trips?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How do I know a word problem needs multiplication and not addition?
Multiplication is needed when you have equal groups or repeated quantities. Words like 'each', 'every', 'per', and 'times' indicate multiplication. Addition is used when combining different amounts.
Q2. What if the word problem needs both multiplication and addition?
This is a multi-step problem. Do the multiplication first, then add or subtract. For example, buying 5 pens at ₹10 each and 3 books at ₹50 each: calculate 5 × 10 = 50 and 3 × 50 = 150, then add 50 + 150 = ₹200.
Q3. How do I handle word problems with large numbers?
Use the column method (vertical multiplication). First estimate by rounding both numbers to check reasonableness, then solve step by step.
Q4. What does 'times as many' mean?
It means multiplication. If Ria has 3 times as many books as Dev, and Dev has 25 books, then Ria has 3 × 25 = 75 books.
Q5. Should I always write the units in my answer?
Yes. Always include units such as ₹, km, kg, litres, or pieces in the final answer. This makes the answer meaningful and complete.
Q6. How can I check if my answer is correct?
Estimate before solving (round numbers to the nearest ten or hundred). After solving, check: is the exact answer close to the estimate? You can also divide the answer by one factor to see if you get the other.
Q7. What if a word problem has extra information?
Some problems include extra numbers that are not needed. Read the question carefully to identify which numbers are relevant. Only multiply the ones the question asks about.
Q8. Can multiplication word problems have remainders?
No. Multiplication always gives an exact product. Remainders occur only in division. If a word problem involves sharing or distributing equally, it is a division problem.
Q9. Are multiplication word problems in the NCERT Class 4 syllabus?
Yes. The NCERT Class 4 Maths textbook includes many word problems based on multiplication in daily-life contexts such as shopping, travel, and school activities.
