multiplication
Multi-step multiplication problems
Combine multiplication with addition, subtraction or division in real contexts.
Quick answer
Multi-step multiplication problems are maths problems that use multiplication alongside addition, subtraction, or division to solve real-life situations. You need to do more than one calculation to find the answer.Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will be able to solve problems that use multiplication with addition, subtraction, or division in real-life situations. Success signs:- You can identify when a problem needs more than one calculation
- You can work out the multiplication part first
- You can add, subtract, or divide after the multiplication
- You can check your answer makes sense
Why this matters
Multi-step multiplication problems help you solve real-life puzzles, like planning a party, buying toys, or sharing snacks. These problems teach you to think carefully and use maths in ways you use every day. They also prepare you for harder maths in school and help you become a confident problem solver.How it works
Multi-step multiplication problems are like puzzles that need more than one move to solve. Here’s how to do them:- Read the whole problem carefully
- Find the multiplication part
- Do the multiplication first
- Then do the next operation (add, subtract, or divide)
- Check your answer makes sense
Examples you can see
Let’s look at some examples that show how to solve multi-step multiplication problems. Example 1: Buying party supplies Sarah wants to buy 5 boxes of party balloons. Each box has 12 balloons. She also wants to buy 3 bags of party hats. Each bag has 8 hats. How many balloons and hats does she have altogether? Step 1: Multiply the balloons: 5 boxes × 12 balloons = 60 balloons Step 2: Multiply the hats: 3 bags × 8 hats = 24 hats Step 3: Add the totals: 60 + 24 = 84 items Answer: Sarah has 84 party items. Example 2: Sharing cookies Tommy has 4 bags of cookies. Each bag has 10 cookies. He eats 12 cookies and shares the rest equally among 4 friends. How many cookies does each friend get? Step 1: Multiply the cookies: 4 bags × 10 cookies = 40 cookies Step 2: Subtract the cookies eaten: 40 − 12 = 28 cookies left Step 3: Divide the cookies: 28 ÷ 4 = 7 cookies each Answer: Each friend gets 7 cookies. Example 3: Garden planting A gardener plants 6 rows of flowers. Each row has 8 flowers. She plants 2 more rows with 5 flowers each. How many flowers are there in total? Step 1: Multiply the first rows: 6 rows × 8 flowers = 48 flowers Step 2: Multiply the extra rows: 2 rows × 5 flowers = 10 flowers Step 3: Add the totals: 48 + 10 = 58 flowers Answer: There are 58 flowers in total.Try it as a mini adventure
The Great Cookie Sale Adventure You are running a cookie sale at school. You have 4 trays of cookies. Each tray has 12 cookies. You sell 30 cookies on the first day. You buy 2 more trays with 10 cookies each. How many cookies do you have now? 4th time: 4 trays × 12 cookies = ? cookies 5th time: 30 cookies sold, so ? cookies left 6th time: 2 trays × 10 cookies = ? cookies bought 7th time: Add the cookies left and the new cookies = ? cookies total Answer: 48 + 20 = 68 cookies totalCommon mistakes
- Mistake: Forgetting to do multiplication first
Why it happens: You might rush and do addition or subtraction before multiplication.
Fix: Always do multiplication first, then the next operation. - Mistake: Adding instead of multiplying
Why it happens: You might think "5 bags with 6 items" means 5 + 6 = 11.
Fix: Remember that "5 bags with 6 items" means 5 × 6 = 30 items. - Mistake: Not checking if your answer makes sense
Why it happens: You might make a mistake and not notice.
Fix: Ask yourself, "Does this answer make sense?" If not, check your work.
Parent and carer guide
Help your child with multi-step multiplication by:- Reading the problem together and talking about what it means
- Encouraging them to write down each step
- Checking that they do multiplication before other operations
- Using real items like coins, blocks, or food to act out the problem
- Letting them make mistakes and learn from them
Practice questions
- Emma has 3 boxes of pencils. Each box has 15 pencils. She gives 10 pencils to her friend. How many pencils does she have left?
- A teacher buys 5 packs of stickers. Each pack has 12 stickers. She uses 20 stickers for class projects. How many stickers does she have left?
- There are 6 rows of chairs. Each row has 8 chairs. 2 more rows with 5 chairs each are added. How many chairs are there in total?
- Tommy has 4 bags of marbles. Each bag has 10 marbles. He finds 15 more marbles. How many marbles does he have now?
- A shop sells 3 boxes of oranges. Each box has 20 oranges. 12 oranges are sold. How many oranges are left?
- 3 × 15 = 45, 45 − 10 = 35 pencils
- 5 × 12 = 60, 60 − 20 = 40 stickers
- 6 × 8 = 48, 2 × 5 = 10, 48 + 10 = 58 chairs
- 4 × 10 = 40, 40 + 15 = 55 marbles
- 3 × 20 = 60, 60 − 12 = 48 oranges
FAQ
What is a multi-step multiplication problem?
A multi-step multiplication problem is one that needs more than one calculation to solve. It uses multiplication with addition, subtraction, or division in the same problem.
Why do I need to know how to solve these problems?
These problems help you solve real-life situations like shopping, planning, or sharing. They also prepare you for harder maths in school.
How do I know which operation to do first?
Always do multiplication before addition, subtraction, or division. This is called the order of operations.
Can I use a calculator for multi-step problems?
Yes, but it's good to practice doing them by hand first so you understand what you're doing.
What if I get confused by the words in the problem?
Read the problem slowly. Circle the numbers and underline the key words. Draw a picture or use objects to help you understand.