Solve two-step word problems
Real life rarely hands your child a one-step problem, and this is where they learn to plan before calculating. Using a letter for the unknown, such as s for stickers left, is a gentle early start on algebra. Estimating first helps your child notice when an answer is far off. These habits carry into the longer problems of 4th and 5th grade and into everyday tasks like budgeting pocket money.
In this video, your child will learn to solve two-step word problems.
The lesson stops at each question for your child's answer.
Three problems, each a little harder
Each problem is worked step by step. Your child will solve the last one before Bobby shows how.
Example 1
Ava has 12 shells. She finds 8 more. She gives away 5. How many shells does she have now?
Example 2
Imani shares 32 berries equally into 4 bowls. Sam gets one bowl. Then she adds 3 more to it. How many are in Sam's bowl now?
Your child's turn
A store has 5 boxes of 9 pens. It sells 17. How many pens are left?
The three key steps
- 1One equation, with a letter.
- 2Solve it one step at a time.
- 3Estimate to check.
Mistakes to listen for
- Stopping after the first step, such as reporting the 18 stickers bought instead of the 13 left after giving some away.
- Doing the right operations in the wrong order, which tells a different story than the problem does.
- Giving an answer that makes no sense in the story, like more stickers left than were bought, without checking.
The lesson shows every step, so your child sees why it works. Read our parent's guide to story problems with two steps →
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More 3rd grade Problem Solving, with questions your child answers along the way.
Questions parents ask
Does my child need an account to watch?
No. You can watch this on any device at any time. If your child would like to practice story problems with two steps, and you'd like parent-friendly reports on your child's progress and growth, you can join Bobby's Math Club for unlimited free practice.
What happens when my child answers a question?
A right answer gets a cheer, and the lesson carries on. If your child isn't sure, they can tap "I don't know yet", and Bobby gives the answer and shows another example. Nothing is scored or stored.
Is this the same lesson that's on YouTube?
Yes. Here, the lesson stops at each question and waits for your child to answer. On YouTube, each question stays on screen for a few seconds, and then the lesson plays on.
Where can I learn more?
There's a short, kid-friendly lesson like this one for every Pre-K to 5th grade math skill, all in our video library. Our parent's guide to story problems with two steps has more on where kids get stuck and how you can help at home. In the club, your child practices at just the right level, about five minutes a day, and you get parent-friendly reports as they grow. Learn more about how it works →
Practice story problems with two steps
Questions at your child's level, about five minutes a day, on story problems with two steps and whatever PK-5 skills they need to develop. Unlimited practice, free forever.
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