Colorado CMAS Grade 4 Math - Multi-Step Word Problems - Quick Review - Practice

Oct 2, 2026

Multi-step word problems practice for Colorado CMAS Grade 4 Math aligned to 4.OA.A.3. The quick review explains how to solve multi-step problems by working in order: find what can be calculated first, use that result for the next step, multiply or divide before add or subtract, and estimate to catch mistakes. The document provides example problem walkthroughs, a set of multi-step practice questions, corresponding answer keys, and step-by-step explanations to support independent learning and checking.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

Quick Review

Example Walkthrough

Practice

Word Problems

Answer Keys

Step-by-Step Explanations

Practice • Progress • Succeed | Colorado CMAS Grade 4 Math [4.OA.A.3] [E](EffortlessMath.com)[f](EffortlessMath.com)[f](EffortlessMath.com)[o](EffortlessMath.com)[r](EffortlessMath.com)[t](EffortlessMath.com)[l](EffortlessMath.com)[e](EffortlessMath.com)[s](EffortlessMath.com)[s](EffortlessMath.com)[M](EffortlessMath.com)[a](EffortlessMath.com)[t](EffortlessMath.com)[h](EffortlessMath.com)[.](EffortlessMath.com)[c](EffortlessMath.com)[o](EffortlessMath.com)[m](EffortlessMath.com) Multi-Step Word Problems | Name: | D | ate: | S | core: / 24 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | Quick Review A multi-step word problem takes more than one operation to solve. The trick is to work in steps: figure out what you can find first, then use that answer to find what comes next. Read carefully and watch the order—usually you multiply or divide before you add or subtract. After you finish, always ask yourself,“Does my answer make sense?” Estimating first is a great way to catch mistakes. ⋄ Example: Maria buys 5 packs of pencils with 6 pencils in each pack. Then she finds 4 more pencils in her desk. How many pencils does she have in all? ⇒ Let’s break this into two steps. First, find how many pencils are in the packs: 5 × 6 = 30 . Now add the 4 extra pencils she found: 30 + 4 = 34 . Doing the multiplication first and the addition second gives us 34 pencils altogether. Answer: 34 pencils PRACTICE Solve each multi-step problem. Work one step at a time. 1. 5 boxes of 6 crayons, plus 4 loose crayons. How many cra1y1o. n3s visaells?with 7 flowers, plus 3 vases with 6 flowers. How many flo 2. 8 bags with 3 apples each, then 7 apples are eaten. How 1a. dlessdaeraeltlt players, then each player loses 5. How many 3. 24 cookies shared into 4 equal plates, then 9 more cookie1s3a. rsahdedlstoite8 pblek.sH, lsm8asnhyeolvnetshtitltoks. How many 4. 7 tables with 5 chairs, plus 7 tables with 2 stools. How ma1n4y. sSetatrst?with 200 pennies, put 6 jars of 25 pennies away. How many 5. Start with 50 stickers, give away 3 sheets of 8. How many1s5t.icrgsraesletn?d 9 grapes are put together, then shared into 4 equ 6. 6 rows of 9 seats, plus 12 extra seats. How many seats tol.?7 teams of 12 players, plus 30 players on the bench. How many 7. Start with 100 beads, use 4 strings of 15 beads. How man1y7b. e5aosxeolfet?donuts, then 5 boxes of 4 donuts are removed. How 8. 9 red marbles per bag in 4 bags, plus 9 blue marbles per .g9i tbicaks. remdainytoarlbbl?s, plus 45 extra stickers in one alb 9. 36 pretzels shared among 6 kids, then each kid gets 8 mo1r. wratyito1e5soeraeksidevhe, hen 25 oranges are sold. How m 10. 12 packs of 5 stamps, then 20 stamps are mailed. How .n toawmlsofae3 lt, plus 6 bowls of 7 nuts. How many nuts in all? ♦ Word Problems 21. Ben packs 4 lunch boxes with 6 granola bars in each. On the way to school he gives 9 bars to friends, then his mom hands him 12 more. How many granola bars does Ben have now? 22. For a class party, the teacher buys 3 trays of 8 muffins and 5 bags of 4 cookies. How many treats did the teacher buy altogether? [E](EffortlessMath.com)[f](EffortlessMath.com)[f](EffortlessMath.com)[o](EffortlessMath.com)[r](EffortlessMath.com)[t](EffortlessMath.com)[l](EffortlessMath.com)[e](EffortlessMath.com)[s](EffortlessMath.com)[s](EffortlessMath.com)[M](EffortlessMath.com)[a](EffortlessMath.com)[t](EffortlessMath.com)[h](EffortlessMath.com)[.](EffortlessMath.com)[c](EffortlessMath.com)[o](EffortlessMath.com)[m](EffortlessMath.com) 1 Practice • Progress • Succeed | Colorado CMAS Grade 4 Math [4.OA.A.3] [E](EffortlessMath.com)[f](EffortlessMath.com)[f](EffortlessMath.com)[o](EffortlessMath.com)[r](EffortlessMath.com)[t](EffortlessMath.com)[l](EffortlessMath.com)[e](EffortlessMath.com)[s](EffortlessMath.com)[s](EffortlessMath.com)[M](EffortlessMath.com)[a](EffortlessMath.com)[t](EffortlessMath.com)[h](EffortlessMath.com)[.](EffortlessMath.com)[c](EffortlessMath.com)[o](Effortl

FAQs

What is the main strategy for solving multi-step word problems?

Work in steps: calculate what you can find first, then use that answer for the next part of the problem. Follow the given order and keep track of operations.

Why should you multiply or divide before add or subtract?

The document emphasizes using the correct operation order to reflect how the problem is structured. Multiplication/division comes first, then addition/subtraction.

How can estimating help when solving these problems?

Estimating early helps you predict a reasonable range for the answer. It makes it easier to catch mistakes after finishing the full solution.

Oct 2, 2026

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