Browse

Word Problems for 3rd Graders

13 free PDFsUS Letter PDFsAnswer key includedNo login

One- and two-step word problems with all four operations, equations with a letter for the unknown, multiply or divide, and adding and subtracting within 1000.

Download the word problems for 3rd graders worksheets

One-step word problems

Choose multiply or divide, and add and subtract within 1000 in stories.

Two-step word problems

Two-step problems with all four operations, writing one equation with a letter, two steps within 1000, and a challenge page with two products.

  • Preview of the printable “Two-Step word Problems: use a Letter, sheet A” worksheet: writing an equation with a letter for the unknown in a two-step problemView all 2 pages

    Two-Step word Problems: use a Letter, sheet A

    Writing an equation with a letter for the unknown in a two-step problem

    Answer key on page 2

    US LetterPDFA4PDF

    2 pages54 KB

  • Preview of the printable “Two-Step word Problems: use a Letter, sheet B” worksheet: writing an equation with a letter for the unknown in a two-step problemView all 2 pages

    Two-Step word Problems: use a Letter, sheet B

    Writing an equation with a letter for the unknown in a two-step problem

    Answer key on page 2

    US LetterPDFA4PDF

    2 pages54 KB

  • Preview of the printable “Two-Step word Problems: use a Letter, sheet C” worksheet: writing an equation with a letter for the unknown in a two-step problemView all 2 pages

    Two-Step word Problems: use a Letter, sheet C

    Writing an equation with a letter for the unknown in a two-step problem

    Answer key on page 2

    US LetterPDFA4PDF

    2 pages55 KB

  • Preview of the printable “Two-Step word problems within 1000, sheet A” worksheet: solving two-step addition and subtraction word problems within 1000View all 2 pages

    Two-Step word problems within 1000, sheet A

    Solving two-step addition and subtraction word problems within 1000

    Answer key on page 2

    US LetterPDFA4PDF

    2 pages53 KB

  • Preview of the printable “Two-Step word problems within 1000, sheet B” worksheet: solving two-step addition and subtraction word problems within 1000View all 2 pages

    Two-Step word problems within 1000, sheet B

    Solving two-step addition and subtraction word problems within 1000

    Answer key on page 2

    US LetterPDFA4PDF

    2 pages52 KB

Print at 100% (actual size) for the cleanest tracing lines.

About these word problems for 3rd graders worksheets

Third graders solve two-step word problems using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. A typical problem: 6 packs of 8 markers, and 5 are given away. How many are left? First find 6 × 8 = 48, then 48 − 5 = 43.

The standards also ask children to write these problems as one equation with a letter for the unknown, like 6 × 8 − 5 = n, and to check whether an answer is reasonable. The Use a Letter pages practice exactly that, and the estimation pages on our rounding topic help with checking.

Each page has room to draw, a line for each step and an answer box with the unit. The keys show each step and a bar model. Every page prints in black and white on US Letter or A4.

Standards

  • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.OA.D.8Solve two-step word problems using the four operations. Represent these problems using equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity. Assess the reasonableness of answers using mental computation and estimation strategies including rounding.
  • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.OA.A.3Use multiplication and division within 100 to solve word problems in situations involving equal groups, arrays, and measurement quantities, e.g., by using drawings and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.
  • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.NBT.A.2Fluently add and subtract within 1000 using strategies and algorithms based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction.

How to use them

  1. Start with Multiply or Divide? so children choose the operation, not just do it.
  2. Move to the two-step pages. Ask: what do we need to find first?
  3. Use Use a Letter once children can solve two-step problems in steps. Show how both steps fit in one equation.
  4. Use the within-1000 pages to practice 3-digit adding and subtracting in a story.
  5. Before checking, ask children to estimate. Is 43 a sensible answer for 6 packs of 8?

Teaching tips

  • Underline the question. Many mistakes come from answering a different question.
  • Draw a quick model for each step. Bar models work for all four operations.
  • A letter is just a box with a name. n = 43 means the unknown is 43.
  • Write the unit with the answer.

Questions teachers and parents ask

What is a two-step word problem?

A problem that needs two calculations, where the answer to the first is used in the second. For "Sam buys 4 packs of 6 cards and gives away 5," first 4 × 6 = 24, then 24 − 5 = 19.

Why do 3rd graders use a letter for the unknown?

Writing a letter like n for the missing number turns a story into one equation, for example 4 × 6 − 5 = n. It is the first step toward algebra and is part of the 3rd grade standards.

Are there answer keys?

Yes. Every page has an answer key on page 2 with the number sentences, a bar model and the answer.