Two-Step Word Problems Worksheets for 3rd Grade
Stories that need two steps, using any two of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. 15 free printable worksheets, each with an answer key.
Save to PinterestFree Two-Step Word Problems Worksheets
Click a worksheet to open the PDF, or grab the matching answer key. Every sheet prints on one page.
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Two-Step Word Problems: what children learn
Third graders solve stories that take exactly two operations, such as multiplying and then adding. They find the hidden middle answer first and then use it to answer the question.
Two-Step Word Problems: worked example
Leo has 3 boxes. Each box has 6 pencils. Leo gets 5 more pencils. How many pencils does Leo have now? 23
First find the pencils in the boxes: 3 × 6 = 18. Then add the new ones: 18 + 5 = 23. Leo has 23 pencils.
Two-Step Word Problems: a common mistake to watch for
Kids often use only the first two numbers they see and skip the middle step, so the story is only half solved.
Two-Step Word Problems: how to help at home or in class
Ask your child to retell the story in two short sentences, saying what happens first and what happens next, before touching any numbers. Then write a small question on a scrap of paper for the hidden step, such as how many pencils are in the boxes. This keeps them from stopping at half the work. When they find that hidden question on their own, they can move on to mixed stories.
What is on these Two-Step Word Problems worksheets
This set has 15 different worksheets for 3rd grade, with 5 questions on each and a matching answer key for every sheet. The instruction printed on each worksheet is: “Read each story. Do two steps to find the answer.”
Example questions like the ones on these worksheets, with their answers:
- Fatima has 3 erasers. Sam has 15 erasers. They put all of them into 6 boxes, the same number in each. How many erasers are in each box?3
- Noah has 62 muffins. Noah gives 8 muffins to Mia. Noah puts the rest into 6 boxes, the same number in each. How many muffins are in each box?9
- Sam has 460 stickers. Sam buys 279 more stickers. Then Sam gives away 648 stickers. How many stickers does Sam have now?91
- A book has 910 pages. Olivia reads 101 pages on Monday and 252 pages on Tuesday. How many pages are left to read?557
- Liam has 45 seeds. Liam gives 4 seeds to each of 6 classmates. How many seeds does Liam have left?21
Every answer on every sheet is checked by a separate program before the worksheet is published. How we check answers