Math word-problem worksheets
Practice choosing the operation and solving a short story problem. Use the example below to check the reading and number difficulty.
Sample worksheet
Download the sample worksheet and answer key, or open the builder to change the settings.
Download sample PDF
Change the settings
Before starting: Identify what is known and what is being asked, and represent addition, subtraction, and equal groups.
After this: Write a number sentence for each stage of a two-step story before calculating.
Example questions
- Three bags contain 8 apples each. Five apples are used. How many remain?
- A class has 28 pencils and shares them equally among 4 tables. How many pencils does each table get?
- Mia reads 14 pages on Monday and 18 on Tuesday. How many pages does she read in all?
Settings in the builder
- operation mix
- one- or two-step stories
- number range
Worked example
Three bags contain 8 apples each. Five apples are used. How many remain?
Answer: 19 apples
How to solve it
First find the total: 3 x 8 = 24 apples. Then subtract the 5 used: 24 - 5 = 19. Label the final answer.
Common mistakes
What to check
- choosing an operation from one keyword
- answering an intermediate question instead of the final one
Ways to review the work
- 1
Have learners retell the situation and label the unknown before calculating.
- 2
Ask the learner to label the intermediate total so it is not mistaken for the final answer.
Teaching content updated 2026-09-05. Read our accuracy standards.