Two-Step Stories, All Four Operations
Real problems almost never come in one step — a builder figures out one thing, writes it down, and uses it to figure out the next.
A two-step problem hides a smaller problem inside it. Find the hidden first number — often by multiplying or dividing equal groups — then use that number to finish the story. Do the equal groups before you add or take away.
Nadia bought 4 packs of seeds with 12 seeds in each pack. She planted 15 of them in her garden bed. How many seeds does she have left?
Priya baked 45 muffins and packed them into boxes with 9 muffins in each box. She sold 3 of the boxes at the bake sale. How many boxes does she have left?
Leo's rope is 24 feet long. He cuts it into 4 equal pieces, then ties 2 of those pieces back together end to end. How many feet long is the tied rope?
A bookshelf holds 3 rows with 9 books in each row. Zoe brings 7 more books from home and stacks them on top. How many books are on the bookshelf now?
Work all the way through to finish. 3 of 4 right and it’s hers.