Elementary School Math Quiz: Solve Two Step Multi Operation Problems
20 questions · exam conditions
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Solve Two Step Multi Operation ProblemsQuestion 1 of 20

Noah has 7 red marbles and 5 blue marbles. He has 3 times as many green marbles as red and blue marbles combined. How many green marbles does he have?

15 marbles
21 marbles
36 marbles
12 marbles
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Elementary School Math Quiz

Elementary School Math Quiz: Solve Two Step Multi Operation Problems

Practice Solve Two Step Multi Operation Problems in Elementary School Math with focused quiz questions that help you check what you know, review explanations, and build confidence with test-style prompts.

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Solve Two Step Multi Operation Problems, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for Elementary School Math.

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

All questions

Question 1

Noah has 7 red marbles and 5 blue marbles. He has 3 times as many green marbles as red and blue marbles combined. How many green marbles does he have?

  1. 15 marbles
  2. 21 marbles
  3. 36 marbles (correct answer)
  4. 12 marbles
Explanation: Noah has 7 plus 5, or 12 red and blue marbles combined, and 3 times 12 equals 36 green marbles. Choice A (15) comes from multiplying only the red marbles by 3. Choice B (21) comes from multiplying only the blue marbles by 3, then adding an error. Choice D (12) mistakes the combined red and blue total for the final answer.

Question 2

A class has 8 tables with 4 students at each table. Then 7 more students join the class. How many students are in the class now?

  1. 32 students
  2. 47 students
  3. 39 students (correct answer)
  4. 15 students
Explanation: 39 students is correct because 8 times 4 equals 32, and 32 plus 7 equals 39. 32 students is incorrect because it only counts the students at the tables and leaves out the 7 who joined. 47 students is incorrect because it does not match adding 7 to 32. 15 students is incorrect because it does not match the given numbers.

Question 3

A farmer plants 99 rows of corn with 2828 seeds in each row. Birds eat 4545 of the seeds before they can grow. The farmer estimates that about 200200 seeds are left to grow. Which reasoning best evaluates this estimate?

  1. The estimate is too low because 10×30−50=25010 \times 30 - 50 = 250 seeds left (correct answer)
  2. The estimate is reasonable because 9×30−45=2259 \times 30 - 45 = 225 seeds left
  3. The estimate is too high because 10×25−50=20010 \times 25 - 50 = 200 seeds exactly
  4. The estimate is reasonable because 10×30−50=25010 \times 30 - 50 = 250 seeds left
Explanation: Round 9 to 10, 28 to 30, and 45 to 50. Calculate: 10 × 30 - 50 = 300 - 50 = 250 seeds left. Since 250 > 200, the estimate is too low. Choice B doesn't round 9 to 10. Choice C rounds 28 down to 25, which is less accurate. Choice D has correct calculation but wrong conclusion about the estimate.

Question 4

Ben has 30 stickers. He gives 6 stickers to a friend. He shares the rest equally among 8 pages in a notebook. How many stickers are on each page?

  1. 24 stickers per page
  2. 5 stickers per page
  3. 3 stickers per page (correct answer)
  4. 6 stickers per page
Explanation: Ben has 30 stickers, gives away 6, leaving 24, then divides them evenly among 8 pages: 24 divided by 8 is 3 stickers per page, so Choice C is correct. Choice A (24 stickers per page) is the number of stickers left before dividing among the pages. Choice B (5 stickers per page) does not match dividing 24 by 8. Choice D (6 stickers per page) comes from dividing the original 30 stickers by 5 instead of solving the problem as given.

Question 5

Maya has 2424 stickers. She gives away 88 stickers to her friends and then buys 33 packs of stickers with 55 stickers in each pack. Which equation shows how to find the total number of stickers Maya has now? Let ss represent the total number of stickers.

  1. s=24−8+(3×5)s = 24 - 8 + (3 \times 5) (correct answer)
  2. s=24+8−(3×5)s = 24 + 8 - (3 \times 5)
  3. s=(24−8)×3+5s = (24 - 8) \times 3 + 5
  4. s=(24×8)−3+5s = (24 \times 8) - 3 + 5
Explanation: Maya starts with 24 stickers, gives away 8, then buys 3 packs of 5 stickers each. The packs bought equal 3 times 5, so the equation is 24 minus 8 plus (3 times 5), matching A. Choice B adds instead of subtracting the stickers given away. Choice C groups the wrong numbers together, multiplying the remaining stickers by 3 instead of finding the packs bought. Choice D multiplies 24 by 8, which does not match any step in the problem.

Question 6

There are 45 cookies shared equally into 9 bags. How many cookies are in each bag?

  1. 9 cookies per bag
  2. 36 cookies per bag
  3. 5 cookies per bag (correct answer)
  4. 4 cookies per bag
Explanation: The 45 cookies are shared equally among 9 bags, so 45 divided by 9 equals 5 cookies per bag, making Choice C correct. Choice A (9 cookies per bag) mixes up the number of bags with the number of cookies in each bag. Choice B (36 cookies per bag) comes from subtracting 9 from 45 instead of dividing. Choice D (4 cookies per bag) is an off-by-one division error.

Question 7

Read the problem. Liam has $60 and buys 7 notebooks for $6 each. How much money is left?

  1. $24 (correct answer)
  2. $42
  3. $102
  4. $18
Explanation: This question tests solving two-step word problems using multiple operations (CCSS.3.OA.8), specifically using multiplication and subtraction to solve a problem, representing it with an equation, and checking reasonableness. Two-step problems require two operations to solve—you can't find the answer in just one step. Strategy: (1) Read carefully and identify what you know and what you need to find. (2) Determine which operations are needed and in what order. (3) Do step 1, then use that result in step 2. (4) Write an equation using a letter for the unknown (like n, x, or s). (5) Check if answer is reasonable using estimation. Example: "Had 24 stickers, bought 3 packs of 8, how many now?" Step 1: Find stickers bought: 3×8=243 \times 8 = 24. Step 2: Add to original: 24+24=4824 + 24 = 48. Equation: 24+3×8=s24 + 3 \times 8 = s or s=24+3×8s = 24 + 3 \times 8. Check: About 20+30=50, so 48 is reasonable. In this problem, Liam starts with $60 and buys 7 notebooks at $6 each, asking how much money is left. This requires multiplication to find the total cost, then subtraction to find the remainder. Choice A is correct because Step 1: 7×6=427 \times 6 = 42 spent. Step 2: 60−42=1860 - 42 = 18 left. Equation: s=60−7×6=18s=60-7\times6=18. This answer is reasonable because 7 notebooks at about $5 each cost around $35, leaving about $25 from $60, but actual $42 spent leaves 18,whichisclose.ChoiceBisincorrectbecauseitrepresentsthetotalspent(18, which is close. Choice B is incorrect because it represents the total spent (7\times6=42)withoutsubtractingfrom60.Thiserroroccurswhenstudentsstopafteronestep.Tohelpstudentssolvetwo−stepproblems:Teachsystematicapproach:read,identifyknowns/unknowns,planoperations,solvestep−by−step,check.Modelwritingequationswithunknowns(uselettersstudentschoose).PracticeestimationBEFOREsolving:"About20+30=50"helpscatcherrors.Checkreasonableness:"Does847stickersmakesensefrombuying3packs?No!"Usebarmodelsordiagramstovisualizesteps.Emphasizeorderofoperations:parenthesesmatter—) without subtracting from 60. This error occurs when students stop after one step. To help students solve two-step problems: Teach systematic approach: read, identify knowns/unknowns, plan operations, solve step-by-step, check. Model writing equations with unknowns (use letters students choose). Practice estimation BEFORE solving: "About 20+30=50" helps catch errors. Check reasonableness: "Does 847 stickers make sense from buying 3 packs? No!" Use bar models or diagrams to visualize steps. Emphasize order of operations: parentheses matter—(12+8) \div 4 \neq 12 + 8 \div 4$. Connect to real life: students naturally solve two-step problems (saved $5 per week for 4 weeks, spent $12, how much left?). Watch for students who add all numbers regardless of context, or who stop after one step.

Question 8

A teacher has 16 pencils. She buys 5 packs with 7 pencils in each pack. How many pencils does she have altogether?

  1. 35 pencils
  2. 28 pencils
  3. 56 pencils
  4. 51 pencils (correct answer)
Explanation: 51 pencils is correct because 5×7=355 \times 7 = 35 new pencils, and 35+16=5135 + 16 = 51 pencils total. 35 pencils is incorrect; it's only the pencils from the new packs, without adding the 16 she already had. 28 pencils is incorrect because it doesn't match 5×75 \times 7. 56 pencils is incorrect; it doesn't correspond to either step of the problem.

Question 9

Ben has 90 minutes to play. He spends 35 minutes reading first. He uses the remaining time equally for 5 games. How many minutes per game?

  1. 55 minutes per game
  2. 18 minutes per game
  3. 13 minutes per game
  4. 11 minutes per game (correct answer)
Explanation: 11 minutes per game is correct because 90 minus 35 equals 55 minutes remaining, and 55 divided by 5 equals 11. 55 minutes per game is incorrect because it stops after subtracting and skips dividing by the number of games. 18 minutes per game is incorrect because it does not match dividing 55 by 5. 13 minutes per game is incorrect because it does not match the correct division.

Question 10

Ella has 90 minutes to play. She spends 6 minutes on each of 8 levels. How many minutes does she have left?

  1. 48 minutes
  2. 12 minutes
  3. 42 minutes (correct answer)
  4. 82 minutes
Explanation: Ella spends 6 minutes on each of 8 levels, which is 6 times 8, or 48 minutes total. Subtracting 48 from 90 leaves 42 minutes, matching choice C. Choice A is the total time spent on levels, not the time left. Choices B and D come from incorrect subtraction.

Question 11

A store has 64 balloons. It sells 16 balloons, then shares the rest equally into 6 bags. How many balloons per bag?

  1. 10 balloons per bag
  2. 48 balloons per bag
  3. 6 balloons per bag
  4. 8 balloons per bag (correct answer)
Explanation: After selling 16 of the 64 balloons, 48 remain, and sharing 48 balloons equally into 6 bags gives 8 balloons per bag. Choice A comes from a division error. Choice B is the number of balloons remaining before sharing, not the amount per bag. Choice C comes from dividing by the wrong number.

Question 12

Grace picks 64 apples. She gives 16 apples away. She packs the rest equally into 8 bags. How many apples per bag?

  1. 6 apples per bag (correct answer)
  2. 48 apples per bag
  3. 10 apples per bag
  4. 8 apples per bag
Explanation: 6 apples per bag is correct because 64 minus 16 equals 48 apples, and 48 divided by 8 equals 6. 48 apples per bag is incorrect because it stops after subtracting and skips dividing by the number of bags. 10 apples per bag is incorrect because it does not match dividing 48 by 8. 8 apples per bag is incorrect because it repeats the number of bags instead of giving the quotient.

Question 13

Noah has $60. He buys 7 notebooks for $8 each. How much did he spend on notebooks in total?

  1. $56 (correct answer)
  2. $4
  3. $15
  4. $52
Explanation: Noah spent 7 x $8 = 56onnotebooks,soChoiceAiscorrect.ChoiceB(56 on notebooks, so Choice A is correct. Choice B (4) is the amount of money left over after the purchase, not the amount spent. Choice C (15)adds7and8insteadofmultiplyingthem.ChoiceD(15) adds 7 and 8 instead of multiplying them. Choice D (52) subtracts only one notebook's price from $60 instead of the total cost of all seven.

Question 14

Zoe has 90 minutes to play. She spends 35 minutes reading, then splits the remaining time into 5 equal parts. How many minutes are in each part?

  1. 55 minutes
  2. 7 minutes
  3. 11 minutes (correct answer)
  4. 18 minutes
Explanation: After reading, Zoe has 90 minus 35, which is 55 minutes left, and splitting 55 minutes into 5 equal parts gives 11 minutes each, matching choice C. Choice A is the remaining time before it is split into parts. Choices B and D come from dividing the remaining time incorrectly.

Question 15

A library has 72 books. 18 books are checked out. The rest are placed equally on 9 shelves. How many books per shelf?

  1. 6 books per shelf (correct answer)
  2. 10 books per shelf
  3. 8 books per shelf
  4. 54 books per shelf
Explanation: 72 minus 18 leaves 54 books, and 54 divided by 9 equals 6 books per shelf, so A is correct. Choice B (10) does not match dividing 54 by 9. Choice C (8) is close to but not equal to the correct quotient. Choice D (54) is the number of books remaining before dividing them among the shelves, not the final answer.

Question 16

A toy store has 66 shelves with 2424 action figures on each shelf. During a sale, 8989 action figures are sold. The store manager estimates they have about 5050 action figures left. Is this estimate reasonable?

  1. No, because 6×20−90=306 \times 20 - 90 = 30, which is not close to 5050
  2. No, because 6×30−90=906 \times 30 - 90 = 90, which is not close to 5050
  3. Yes, because 6×25−90=606 \times 25 - 90 = 60, which is close to 5050 (correct answer)
  4. Yes, because 6×24=1446 \times 24 = 144, which is close to 5050
Explanation: Rounding 24 to 25 and 89 to 90 gives 6 times 25, or 150, and 150 minus 90 equals 60, which is reasonably close to 50, so the estimate is reasonable. Choice A rounds 24 down to 20 instead of up to 25, giving an estimate that is too far off. Choice B rounds 24 up to 30 instead of 25, giving an estimate that is too far off in the other direction. Choice D never subtracts the action figures sold, so it does not estimate the amount left at all.

Question 17

Ella has 9 pencils. Her teacher gives her 5 more packs with 4 pencils each. How many pencils does she have altogether?

  1. 14 pencils
  2. 29 pencils (correct answer)
  3. 25 pencils
  4. 20 pencils
Explanation: The 5 packs give 5 times 4, or 20 pencils. Adding those to her original 9 pencils gives 9 plus 20, which is 29 pencils altogether. Choice A, 14 pencils, comes from adding 9 and 5 and ignoring the pencils per pack. Choice C, 25 pencils, comes from a small error in adding the pencils from the packs to her original amount. Choice D, 20 pencils, only counts the new pencils and leaves out the 9 she started with.

Question 18

Liam has 7 red marbles and 5 blue marbles. He has 3 times as many green marbles as the number of red and blue marbles combined. How many green marbles does he have?

  1. 12 marbles
  2. 21 marbles
  3. 19 marbles
  4. 36 marbles (correct answer)
Explanation: The red and blue marbles combined total 7 plus 5, or 12, and 3 times 12 is 36 green marbles. Choice A is only the combined total of red and blue marbles, without multiplying by 3. Choice B comes from multiplying only the red marbles by 3. Choice C comes from an addition error.

Question 19

Tia picked 15 apples and 9 more apples. She puts them equally into 6 bags. How many apples are in each bag?

  1. 6 apples per bag
  2. 24 apples per bag
  3. 3 apples per bag
  4. 4 apples per bag (correct answer)
Explanation: Tia has 15 plus 9, or 24 apples total, and 24 divided by 6 equals 4 apples per bag. Choice A (6) matches the number of bags instead of the answer. Choice B (24) is the total number of apples, not the amount per bag. Choice C (3) comes from dividing incorrectly.

Question 20

Noah collects 15 cans on Monday and 21 cans on Tuesday. He puts them equally into 6 bags. How many cans per bag?

  1. 9 cans per bag
  2. 6 cans per bag (correct answer)
  3. 36 cans per bag
  4. 5 cans per bag
Explanation: This question tests solving two-step word problems using multiple operations (CCSS.3.OA.8), specifically using addition and division to solve a problem, representing it with an equation, and checking reasonableness. Two-step problems require two operations to solve—you can't find the answer in just one step. Strategy: (1) Read carefully and identify what you know and what you need to find. (2) Determine which operations are needed and in what order. (3) Do step 1, then use that result in step 2. (4) Write an equation using a letter for the unknown (like n, x, or s). (5) Check if answer is reasonable using estimation. In this problem, Noah collects 15 cans on Monday and 21 on Tuesday, then divides them equally into 6 bags. This requires addition to find the total cans, then division to find cans per bag. Choice B is correct because Step 1: 15+21=36 total cans. Step 2: 36÷6=6 cans per bag. Equation: c=(15+21)÷6=6. This answer is reasonable because about 36 cans divided into 6 bags gives 6 per bag. Choice A (9 cans) is incorrect because it appears to divide only the Tuesday cans (21÷6=3.5, rounded up or miscomputed as 9), ignoring Monday's collection. This error occurs when students don't add all quantities before dividing. To help students solve two-step problems: Teach systematic approach: read, identify knowns/unknowns, plan operations, solve step-by-step, check. Model writing equations with parentheses to show order: (15+21)÷6. Practice estimation: "About 40 cans in 6 bags is about 6-7 per bag." Use diagrams to show combining collections before dividing. Emphasize reading carefully: "equally into 6 bags" means divide the TOTAL, not just part.