Multiplication • Topic 4 of 4

Word Problems

Word problems are where multiplication meets real life, and they are the situations CTET uses to check whether a child truly understands the operation rather than just the symbol. Three situations cover almost everything a primary child meets. The first is equal groups: five bags each holding two apples is 5 x 2 = 10 apples, because the same amount repeats group after group. The second is arrays, things laid out in rows and columns, such as three rows of chairs with four chairs in each row, which is 3 x 4 = 12 chairs. The third is repeated-addition situations described in words, like Riya jumping six steps three times, which is 3 x 6 = 18 steps. Recognising which situation a problem describes is the real skill, and a good teacher helps children draw the picture, the groups, the array or the number-line jumps, before reaching for the number sentence. This is also why CTET warns against teaching word problems through keyword tricks alone; a child who multiplies whenever they see the word each will stumble the moment the wording changes. The aim is to connect the story to repeated addition and equal groups so the multiplication makes sense.

✅ Solved examples

1. There are 6 boxes and each box has 8 chocolates. How many chocolates are there in all? Identify the situation.
This is an equal-groups situation: 6 groups of 8. Total = 6 x 8 = 48 chocolates.
2. A hall has 7 rows of chairs with 9 chairs in each row. How many chairs are there? Which model fits?
This is an array (rows x columns). Total = 7 x 9 = 63 chairs.
3. Riya jumps 6 steps forward, and she does this 4 times from the start. How far has she gone, and how does this link to repeated addition?
This is a repeated-addition situation: 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 = 24, which is 4 x 6 = 24 steps.
4. A shopkeeper packs 12 pens in each packet and sells 5 packets. How many pens did he sell?
Equal groups again: 5 packets of 12 pens. Total = 5 x 12 = 60 pens.

✏️ Practice — try these, take hints as needed

1. A garden has 9 plants in each of 8 rows. How many plants in total?
Rows and plants per row makes an array.
Multiply rows by plants per row.
8 x 9 = 72 plants
2. Each ticket costs 15 rupees and a family buys 4 tickets. What is the total cost?
Equal groups: 4 groups of 15.
Use the table of 15.
4 x 15 = 60 rupees
3. A frog makes 7 jumps and covers 3 units in each jump. How many units does it cover, and which model is this?
Same jump repeated several times.
This is a repeated-addition / number-line situation.
7 x 3 = 21 units

📝 Topic test — 8 questions

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