Grade 3 · Free lesson and game
3rd Grade Multiplication Word Problems
A multiplication word problem describes equal groups. In this third-grade lesson, find the number of groups, the size of each group and what the answer means.
Play the free sampleFive fixed questions with explanations · No account or card
1. Find the equal groups
Six trays hold four muffins each. There are 6 groups with 4 in each group. Draw six boxes and put four dots in each: 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 = 24. The equation is 6 × 4 = 24 muffins.
2. Use a known fact
Eight teams each need three flags. Start with 5 × 3 = 15 and add 3 × 3 = 9. Altogether, 8 × 3 = 24 flags. Label the answer with the thing you counted.
3. Solve a two-step story
Three boxes hold six pencils each, and two pencils are loose. First multiply: 3 × 6 = 18. Then add the loose pencils: 18 + 2 = 20 pencils. The loose pencils are not another full box.
4. Choose the operation from the story
The word “each” can appear in both multiplication and division stories. Ask what is unknown. Six bags with four marbles each asks for the total: 6 × 4 = 24. Sharing 24 marbles among six bags asks for the group size: 24 ÷ 6 = 4.
Check your understanding
Work out the answer before opening the explanation.
Five baskets hold six apples each. How many apples?
5 × 6 = 30 apples. Five equal groups of six make thirty.
Four packs contain eight cards each, with three extra cards. How many cards?
4 × 8 + 3 = 32 + 3 = 35 cards.
There are seven rows of five chairs. Is 7 + 5 a suitable calculation?
No. Add five seven times, or multiply: 7 × 5 = 35 chairs. Adding the two factors counts neither the chairs nor the equal groups.
Keep practising
See the multiplication arrays lesson · Get the free worksheets and answer key
Try a short game, then explain one answer using a drawing or an equation. Game modes can be switched off for simple answer buttons.
Play the free sampleExamples and answers checked on 31 October 2026. Help review these public resources.