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Q.1 Multiplication word problems with factors up to 5

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What is multiplication?

Multiplication is a way of adding the same number again and again. It shows how many groups of a number we have in total.

Example:
  • 3 × 2 means 3 groups of 2 → 2 + 2 + 2 = 6
Note

Multiplication makes repeated addition faster and easier to understand.

How to identify multiplication in word problems

In word problems, multiplication is used when we see equal groups, arrays, or repeated actions. Look for phrases like “groups of,” “each,” or “rows of.”

Example:
  • “There are 4 baskets. Each basket has 3 apples. How many apples are there in total?”
  • We see 4 groups of 3. Multiply: 4 × 3 = 12 apples.
Note

Always ask yourself: Are there equal groups? If yes, multiplication can be used.

Steps to solve multiplication word problems

Follow these steps to solve multiplication word problems with factors up to 5:

Steps:
  • Step 1: Read the problem carefully.
  • Step 2: Identify the number of groups and how many are in each group.
  • Step 3: Write a multiplication equation.
  • Step 4: Solve the equation to find the total.
Note

Check your answer by using repeated addition if you are unsure.

Examples of multiplication word problems

Here are some sample problems and their solutions to help you practice:

Examples:
  • Problem: “There are 5 rows of chairs. Each row has 4 chairs. How many chairs are there?”
    Solution: 5 × 4 = 20 chairs.
  • Problem: “A farmer has 3 pens. Each pen has 5 sheep. How many sheep are there in all?”
    Solution: 3 × 5 = 15 sheep.
  • Problem: “A baker makes 2 trays of cookies. Each tray has 5 cookies. How many cookies are there?”
    Solution: 2 × 5 = 10 cookies.
Note

Always include units (like chairs, sheep, cookies) in your final answer to make it clear.

Helpful tips to remember

Here are some important things to keep in mind when working with multiplication word problems:

Tips:
  • Draw pictures or arrays if the problem feels tricky.
  • Use skip counting to check your multiplication.
  • Practice the multiplication facts up to 5 × 5 for faster problem solving.
Note

Understanding the problem is just as important as solving it. Take time to think before you multiply.