Solve word problems with several steps
Most real problems your child will meet take more than one step, like working out what four packs cost after a coupon, or how many cars a class trip needs. Planning the steps and checking that an answer makes sense are habits they will use every year from here on. Next year they meet the same kind of problems with fractions and decimals, and in middle school they write each step as an equation.
In this video, your child will learn to solve word problems with several steps.
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
A farm has 6 rows of 8 trees. The farmer plants 15 more trees. How many trees are there now?
Example 2
30 children go on a trip. Each van holds 4 children. How many vans do they need?
Your child's turn
Lily has 3 bags of 13 beads. Each bracelet uses 5 beads. How many bracelets can she finish?
The three key steps
- 1Step by step, then estimate.
- 2Divide to make equal groups.
- 3Left over? Decide what it means.
Mistakes to listen for
- Stopping after the first step, answering 24 juice boxes when the question asks how many are left after 5 are drunk.
- Giving a remainder answer that does not fit the story, like "4 vans with 3 left over" when 5 vans are needed.
- Combining numbers from the problem with whatever operation comes to mind, before deciding what the question is asking.
The lesson shows every step, so your child sees why it works. Read our parent's guide to multi-step story problems and leftovers →
Is your child ready to practice what they've learned?
Bobby's Math Club offers unlimited practice for free.
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More 4th 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 multi-step story problems and leftovers, 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 multi-step story problems and leftovers 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 multi-step story problems and leftovers
Questions at your child's level, about five minutes a day, on multi-step story problems and leftovers and whatever PK-5 skills they need to develop. Unlimited practice, free forever.
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