Weight Word Problems (Grade 3)
Weight word problems ask you to use your knowledge of kilograms and grams to solve real-life situations. You may need to add, subtract, compare, or convert weights.
These problems involve everyday items like fruits, vegetables, rice, and school supplies — things you see in shops and at home.
What is Weight Word Problems - Class 3 Maths (Measurement)?
A weight word problem describes a situation involving the weight of one or more objects. You must identify the weights, decide the operation (add, subtract, compare, convert), and solve.
Remember: 1 kg = 1000 g. Convert before calculating if units are different.
Solved Examples
Example 1: Addition — Same Unit
Question: Aman buys 3 kg of rice and 2 kg of wheat. What is the total weight?
Think:
- 3 kg + 2 kg = 5 kg
Answer: Total weight = 5 kg.
Example 2: Addition — Mixed Units
Question: Ria buys 1 kg 500 g of apples and 750 g of grapes. What is the total weight?
Think:
- 1 kg 500 g = 1500 g
- 1500 + 750 = 2250 g = 2 kg 250 g
Answer: Total weight = 2 kg 250 g.
Example 3: Subtraction
Question: A bag of flour weighs 5 kg. Priya uses 1 kg 250 g for chapatis. How much flour is left?
Think:
- 5 kg = 5000 g
- 5000 − 1250 = 3750 g = 3 kg 750 g
Answer: 3 kg 750 g of flour is left.
Example 4: Comparison
Question: Dev's school bag weighs 3 kg 200 g. Kavi's bag weighs 2800 g. Whose bag is heavier?
Think:
- Dev: 3 kg 200 g = 3200 g
- Kavi: 2800 g
- 3200 > 2800
Answer: Dev's bag is heavier by 400 g.
Example 5: Multiplication
Question: Each packet of biscuits weighs 250 g. Meera buys 4 packets. What is the total weight?
Think:
- 4 × 250 = 1000 g = 1 kg
Answer: Total weight = 1 kg.
Example 6: Division
Question: A 2 kg box of sweets is divided equally among 8 children. How many grams does each child get?
Think:
- 2 kg = 2000 g
- 2000 ÷ 8 = 250 g
Answer: Each child gets 250 g.
Example 7: Multi-step Problem
Question: Neha buys 2 kg of tomatoes, 1 kg 500 g of onions, and 500 g of chillies. She carries them in a bag that weighs 200 g. What is the total weight she carries?
Think:
- Tomatoes: 2000 g, Onions: 1500 g, Chillies: 500 g, Bag: 200 g
- Total = 2000 + 1500 + 500 + 200 = 4200 g = 4 kg 200 g
Answer: Total weight = 4 kg 200 g.
Example 8: Shopping Problem
Question: Arjun buys 3 kg of mangoes at ₹80 per kg. How much does he pay?
Think:
- 3 × 80 = ₹240
Answer: Arjun pays ₹240.
Example 9: How Many Packets?
Question: A shopkeeper has 5 kg of sugar. He packs it in 500 g packets. How many packets does he make?
Think:
- 5 kg = 5000 g
- 5000 ÷ 500 = 10
Answer: He makes 10 packets.
Key Points to Remember
- Always check if weights are in the same unit before solving.
- Convert kg to g (× 1000) or g to kg (÷ 1000) as needed.
- Look for clue words: "total" → add, "left" → subtract, "heavier" → compare, "each" → divide.
- Write the answer with the correct unit (kg, g, or both).
- For multi-step problems, solve one step at a time.
- Check by estimation: 2 kg + 1.5 kg should be around 3.5 kg.
Practice Problems
- Priya buys 2 kg 300 g of potatoes and 1 kg 700 g of carrots. Total weight?
- A bag of rice weighs 10 kg. After using 3 kg 500 g, how much is left?
- Which is heavier: 4500 g or 4 kg 200 g?
- Each apple weighs 200 g. How many apples make 1 kg?
- Aditi's tiffin box weighs 350 g. Her water bottle weighs 650 g. What is the total?
- A 3 kg cake is cut into 6 equal pieces. How much does each piece weigh?
- Aman buys 5 packets of chips, each weighing 100 g. What is the total weight in grams and in kg?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How do I solve weight word problems?
First, write down the weights given. Convert to the same unit if needed. Then decide: add, subtract, multiply, or divide. Solve and write the answer with the unit.
Q2. What if one weight is in kg and the other in g?
Convert them to the same unit. Either change kg to g (multiply by 1000) or change g to kg (divide by 1000), then solve.
Q3. What clue words help me decide the operation?
"Total", "altogether", "combined" → add. "Left", "remaining", "less" → subtract. "Each" → divide. "Times" → multiply. "Heavier/lighter" → compare.
Q4. How do I check my answer?
Use estimation. If you add 2 kg and 1.5 kg, the answer should be about 3.5 kg. If your answer is very different, recheck your work.
Q5. Can a word problem have more than one step?
Yes. You may need to convert, then add, then subtract. Solve step by step.
Q6. What is the difference between weight and mass?
In everyday language, weight and mass are used to mean the same thing. Scientists use "mass" for the amount of matter and "weight" for the force of gravity, but in Class 3, you can use "weight".
Q7. Should I always convert to grams?
Not always. If both weights are in kg, work in kg. Convert to g only when one is in kg and the other in g, or when the answer needs to be in g.
Q8. Is this topic in NCERT Class 3?
Yes. NCERT Class 3 Maths includes word problems on weight involving everyday shopping, cooking, and comparing weights of objects.
