Solve Equal Group Word Problems
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What you will learn
- 1Decide whether to multiply or divide from an equal-group word problem
- 2Write the correct number sentence for a multiplication or division word problem and solve
- 3Give the answer for equal-group word problems
Mini Lesson
Equal-group word problems always involve groups of the same size. Whether you multiply or divide depends on what the story gives you and what it asks you to find.
When do you multiply?
- You know the number of groups and the group size — you need the total.
- Key words: altogether, in all, total, each (when groups and size are given).
- Example: "4 bags each hold 3 apples. How many apples in all?" → 4 x 3 = 12.
When do you divide?
- You know the total and either the number of groups or the group size — you find the missing one.
- Key words: share equally, each person gets, split, how many in each group, how many groups.
- Example (find group size): "20 crayons shared equally among 4 children. How many each?" → 20 ÷ 4 = 5.
- Example (find number of groups): "15 flowers put into groups of 5. How many groups?" → 15 ÷ 5 = 3.
Three-step method
- Step 1 — Read: Find the numbers and underline what the question asks for.
- Step 2 — Decide: Do you know groups and size (→ multiply) or do you know the total (→ divide)?
- Step 3 — Solve: Write and calculate the number sentence.
Words to know
Word problem
A math story you read and then solve
e.g. I solved an equal-group word problem.
Multiply
To join equal groups to find a total
e.g. I multiplied 4 × 3 to find the total.
Divide
To split a total into equal groups
e.g. I divided 20 ÷ 4 to find the group size.
Equal groups
Groups that all have the same number of items
e.g. Four equal groups of 3 made 12.
Number sentence
A math equation that solves the problem
e.g. I wrote the number sentence 4 × 3 = 12.
Key words
Words in a story that hint at the operation to use
e.g. Share equally is a key word for divide.
Ask yourself: "Do I know both groups AND size? Multiply. Do I know the total? Divide."
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