Story problems that take more than one step, including division with a remainder. Your child decides what the remainder means: some left over, or one more group needed.
Work out the first step, then use its answer in the next. With a remainder, reread the question: it may ask what's left over, or how many groups are needed so no one is left out.
remainderwhat's left after making equal groups
multi-stepneeding more than one calculation
estimatea close guess to check an answer
equationa number sentence with an equals sign
Watch for: Answering a van story with the quotient, when one more van is needed for the rest. Giving the number of full packs when the question asks what's left over. Stopping after the first step.
At home: Plan something real: 26 people and cars that hold 4 each. How many cars? Talk about why 6 cars isn't enough.
Sample sheet and answer key
Luna's Space Adventure
Grade 4 · Multi-step problems · 4.OA.A.3
NameDate
Astronaut Luna is exploring a far-off corner of space. Solve each problem to help Luna's mission go smoothly!
Multi-step stories
Decide what the remainder means in each story.
1
Nova buys 4 bags of space snacks with 5 in each bag, then gives 13 space snacks to Orion. How many space snacks does Nova have left?
space snacks
2
Max puts 18 comet crystals into baskets of 5. How many comet crystals are left over after filling as many baskets as possible?
comet crystals
3
23 children are going on a trip. Each van holds 3 children. How many vans are needed so everyone can go?
vans
4
Luna buys 3 jars of star stickers with 4 in each jar, then gives 6 star stickers to Max. How many star stickers does Luna have left?
star stickers
5
Max puts 41 star stickers into jars of 5. How many star stickers are left over after filling as many jars as possible?
star stickers
Sheet
Luna's Space Adventure
Grade 4 · Multi-step problems · 4.OA.A.3
Answer key
Astronaut Luna is exploring a far-off corner of space. Solve each problem to help Luna's mission go smoothly!
Multi-step stories
Decide what the remainder means in each story.
1
Nova buys 4 bags of space snacks with 5 in each bag, then gives 13 space snacks to Orion. How many space snacks does Nova have left?
4 × 5 = 20, then 20 − 13 = 7
7space snacks
2
Max puts 18 comet crystals into baskets of 5. How many comet crystals are left over after filling as many baskets as possible?
3 × 5 = 15, then 18 − 15 = 3
3comet crystals
3
23 children are going on a trip. Each van holds 3 children. How many vans are needed so everyone can go?
7 × 3 = 21, then 7 + 1 = 8
8vans
4
Luna buys 3 jars of star stickers with 4 in each jar, then gives 6 star stickers to Max. How many star stickers does Luna have left?
3 × 4 = 12, then 12 − 6 = 6
6star stickers
5
Max puts 41 star stickers into jars of 5. How many star stickers are left over after filling as many jars as possible?
8 × 5 = 40, then 41 − 40 = 1
1star stickers
Answer key
New problems every time, three levels (gentle, core and stretch), themes to pick from, a second page if you want one. Each sheet comes with an answer key and a one-page guide for grown-ups.
