Multi-Step Word Problems (Grade 4)
Multi-step word problems require two or more operations to find the answer. You must read carefully, identify the steps, decide which operations to use, and solve them in the correct order.
These problems mirror real-life situations — shopping with multiple items, calculating time for a journey, or figuring out scores in a game.
What is Multi-Step Word Problems - Class 4 Maths (Operations)?
Steps to solve multi-step word problems:
- Read the problem carefully. Underline important numbers and keywords.
- Identify what is being asked.
- Plan the operations needed (add, subtract, multiply, divide).
- Solve step by step, writing each operation clearly.
- Check if the answer makes sense.
Read → Plan → Solve → Check
Solved Examples
Example 1: Example 1: Shopping Problem
Problem: Aman bought 3 shirts at ₹450 each and 2 trousers at ₹600 each. He paid ₹3,000. How much change did he get?
Solution:
Step 1: Cost of shirts = 3 × 450 = ₹1,350
Step 2: Cost of trousers = 2 × 600 = ₹1,200
Step 3: Total cost = 1,350 + 1,200 = ₹2,550
Step 4: Change = 3,000 − 2,550 = ₹450
Answer: Aman got ₹450 change.
Example 2: Example 2: Distribution Problem
Problem: A school has 480 students. They are divided equally into 8 sections. Each section is further divided into 4 groups. How many students in each group?
Solution:
Step 1: Students per section = 480 ÷ 8 = 60
Step 2: Students per group = 60 ÷ 4 = 15
Answer: 15 students per group.
Example 3: Example 3: Earning and Spending
Problem: Priya earns ₹250 per day. She works 6 days a week and spends ₹1,000 on rent. How much does she save in a week?
Solution:
Step 1: Weekly earning = 250 × 6 = ₹1,500
Step 2: Savings = 1,500 − 1,000 = ₹500
Answer: Priya saves ₹500 per week.
Example 4: Example 4: Distance Problem
Problem: An auto-rickshaw travels 12 km to school and 12 km back, 5 days a week. It also makes a 20 km trip on Saturday. What is the total distance in a week?
Solution:
Step 1: Daily school trip = 12 + 12 = 24 km
Step 2: Five days = 24 × 5 = 120 km
Step 3: Total = 120 + 20 = 140 km
Answer: Total distance = 140 km.
Example 5: Example 5: Mangoes Problem
Problem: A farmer has 1,200 mangoes. He packs 24 mangoes in each box and sells each box for ₹350. How much does he earn if he sells all boxes?
Solution:
Step 1: Number of boxes = 1,200 ÷ 24 = 50
Step 2: Total earnings = 50 × 350 = ₹17,500
Answer: The farmer earns ₹17,500.
Example 6: Example 6: Score Calculation
Problem: In a quiz, Aditi scored 8 marks for each correct answer and lost 3 marks for each wrong answer. She answered 12 correctly and 4 wrongly. What is her score?
Solution:
Step 1: Marks gained = 12 × 8 = 96
Step 2: Marks lost = 4 × 3 = 12
Step 3: Total score = 96 − 12 = 84
Answer: Aditi's score is 84.
Example 7: Example 7: Age Problem
Problem: Meera is 9 years old. Her father is 4 times her age. Her mother is 3 years younger than her father. How old is her mother?
Solution:
Step 1: Father's age = 4 × 9 = 36 years
Step 2: Mother's age = 36 − 3 = 33 years
Answer: Meera's mother is 33 years old.
Example 8: Example 8: Tiffin Box Problem
Problem: A school orders 35 tiffin boxes at ₹125 each and gets a discount of ₹500 on the total bill. How much does the school pay?
Solution:
Step 1: Total cost = 35 × 125 = ₹4,375
Step 2: After discount = 4,375 − 500 = ₹3,875
Answer: The school pays ₹3,875.
Example 9: Example 9: Cricket Problem
Problem: In a cricket match, Rahul scored 45 runs in the first innings and twice as many in the second innings. Dev scored a total of 100 runs. Who scored more in total?
Solution:
Step 1: Rahul's 2nd innings = 2 × 45 = 90
Step 2: Rahul's total = 45 + 90 = 135
Step 3: Compare: 135 > 100
Answer: Rahul scored more (135 vs 100).
Key Points to Remember
- Multi-step problems need two or more operations.
- Follow the Read → Plan → Solve → Check approach.
- Look for keywords: "in total" (add), "how much more" (subtract), "each" (multiply or divide), "shared equally" (divide).
- Write each step separately — do not skip steps.
- Check your answer by re-reading the problem and verifying the logic.
- Pay attention to the question being asked — it may not be the last calculation.
Practice Problems
- Dev bought 5 mangoes at ₹40 each and 3 apples at ₹60 each. He paid ₹500. How much change did he get?
- A library has 3,600 books on 12 shelves. Each shelf has books arranged in 6 rows. How many books per row?
- Neha earns ₹180 per day for 5 days and spends ₹350 on groceries. How much does she save?
- A school ordered 48 cricket balls at ₹75 each and 24 bats at ₹850 each. What is the total cost?
- Arjun has 240 stickers. He gives 15 to each of his 8 friends. How many stickers are left?
- A factory makes 1,500 toys per day. How many toys in 5 days if 200 are rejected on the last day?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What are multi-step word problems?
They are word problems that require two or more arithmetic operations (like add then subtract, or multiply then divide) to reach the answer.
Q2. How do I know which operation to use?
Look for keywords: 'total' or 'altogether' → add, 'left' or 'remaining' → subtract, 'each' or 'per' → multiply or divide, 'shared equally' → divide.
Q3. What is the best way to solve these problems?
Read the problem, identify the question, plan the steps, solve one operation at a time, and check if the answer makes sense.
Q4. How do I check my answer?
Re-read the problem and verify each step. Use estimation to check if the answer is in the right range. You can also work backwards from the answer.
Q5. Why do I get the wrong answer even when my calculations are correct?
You may have used the wrong operation or done steps in the wrong order. Always plan before calculating and make sure you answer what the problem asks.
Q6. Can a problem use all four operations?
Yes. Some problems require addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division all in one problem. Solve them step by step.
Q7. Should I write the steps or do everything in my head?
Always write the steps. This reduces errors and helps you find mistakes. You can also show your work to your teacher.
Q8. Are multi-step word problems in NCERT Class 4?
Yes, solving multi-step word problems is an important part of the CBSE/NCERT Class 4 Maths curriculum.
