Multi-step problems
Objective. Select operations, show a chain of reasoning and interpret the result.
- 1. Learn
- 2. Worked example
- 3. Practice
- 4. Feedback
- 5. Continue
Learn: the key idea
Multi-step problems need more than one calculation. Read the question carefully, write down what you know and what you must find, then plan the steps in order. For example: 6 packs of 12 pens, and 15 pens are used. Step 1: 6 × 12 = 72 pens. Step 2: 72 − 15 = 57 pens remain. Finally, check the answer makes sense in the context.
Worked example
Multi-step problem: 6 packs of 12 pens are bought for a class. 15 pens are used and the rest are shared equally between 3 tables. How many pens does each table get?
- 1Step 1: total pens = 6 × 12 = 72.
- 2Step 2: pens left = 72 − 15 = 57.
- 3Step 3: share between 3 tables: 57 ÷ 3 = 19.
- 4Check: 19 × 3 + 15 = 72 ✓
Answer: 19 pens
Concept mastery
Based on your past attempts at this lesson — the question types to practise again come first.
Complete a practice set to see your concept breakdown here.
Practice
Practice happens on its own screen, one question at a time. Answers stay hidden until you submit yours, and you can stop and pick up at the same question later.
Start practisingCommon mistake. Pupils often stop after the first step and give 72 as the answer. Re-read the question at the end and check you have answered exactly what was asked.
Your progress
Tick each step as you finish it. Your exact reading position is saved automatically, so Continue drops you back on the same line.
0 of 5 steps complete
Your place saves automatically as you read.