Word Problems Teaching Resources
Browse maths word problems and word problem worksheets created by teachers for Australian teachers like you! This vast collection covers all four maths operations with problem-solving tasks that allow students to apply their maths skills to real-world problems!
From worksheets to task cards, this collection is full of Australian maths curriculum-aligned resources, ready for your classroom, your lesson plans and your students!
Curious about using word problems in your classroom? Read on for a primer from our teacher team, including a kid-friendly definition of the concept and tips to ensure your students succeed with word problems!
What Is a Word Problem? A Kid-Friendly Definition
No doubt you know the answer to this question, but would you know how to answer if a student asked? Here's a handy definition that you can use!
A word problem is a kind of maths problem that is presented in words instead of just numbers. Word problems require us to use our maths skills to solve real-life scenarios or situations.
A word problem usually includes a question or a scenario that needs to be solved using one of the four maths operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication or division.
How to Help Students Succeed With Word Problems
Word problems are a fantastic tool to help students build their problem-solving skills. So how do you set them up for success?
Our teacher team has a few tricks up our sleeve to ensure your students are able to translate their maths skills into real-world problem-solving situations.
1. Teach Key Word Problem Vocabulary
Word problems are full of, well, words that serve as cues for students to help them know which operations to apply. Make sure to explicitly teach students the words so they know the appropriate actions.
For example, if a student sees the term 'take away' in a word problem, they should know that subtraction is involved. Here are just a few other key word problem vocabulary terms:
- How much
- Increased by
- How much longer
- Lost
- Remain
- Reduce
You may want to create anchor charts as a class with some of these keywords so students have a handy reference.
2. Hand Out Highlighter Pens
Teach students to work through a word problem and highlight or underline the important information (such as what is being asked for), while they cross out redundant information and other bits that are not necessary.
This can help them focus on the key points that matter.
3. Teach the CUBES Strategy
This handy strategy is a favourite amongst our teacher team (you'll even find CUBES resources on our site!). CUBES stands for:
- Circle all the numbers
- Underline the question
- Box the key words
- Evaluate and write the equation
- Solve & check
4. Practise Creating Word Problems As a Class
Before you hand already crafted word problems to your students to solve, why not work together as a class to create some?
Take regular addition or subtraction problems from the many worksheets on Teach Starter, and turn them into word problems together so students can reverse engineer the process. Students can also draw a picture to illustrate the problem.
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Multiply and Divide! Word Problems Interactive
Practise solving one and two step worded maths problems and have fun with our Multiply and Divide Word Problems Interactive Activity.
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Class Carnival – Probability STEM Challenges
A set of four carnival-themed STEM challenges where students create fun games that incorporate probability.
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Addition and Subtraction Word Problem Task Cards (Numbers 1-9)
Use a range of addition and subtraction strategies to solve twenty single-digit word problems.
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Daily Maths Word Problems - Year 4 (Worksheets)
A set of 20 problem-solving questions suited to year 4 students.
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Rounding to Estimate Worksheet Set
Use our rounding to estimate worksheet set to sharpen number sense and mental maths skills.
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Estimation Activity - Estimating Space Worksheet Set
Use estimation activities like this estimating space worksheet set to give your students practice estimating, converting measurements and problem solving.
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Adding and Subtracting Word Problems Interactive Task Cards
Engage your students with this interactive adding and subtracting word problems activity that features a variety of problem types.
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Basic Multiplication and Division Word Problems - Matching Game
Practice reading, writing, and solving basic multiplication and division word problems with a matching activity.
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Maths Brain Teasers - Year 2 Word Problems
Challenge your year 2 students to solve these brain teasers with a set of 24 maths word problems.
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Length Word Problems - Year 3 Maths Worksheet
Help your students relate addition and subtraction with length using a printable Measurement Word Problems Worksheet for Year 3.
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Multi-Step Word Problem Cards (Division and Multiplication) - Year 5-6
Solve multi-step multiplication and long division word problems with a set of printable maths task cards.
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Adding and Subtracting Within 10 - Word Problem Task Cards
Solve word problems practicing addition and subtraction to ten with a set of printable task cards.
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Data Maths Investigation – Line Up the Coins
A mathematics investigation about data, embedded in a real-world context.
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Multiplication and Division Word Problems Task Cards (Facts of 1-12)
Use a range of strategies to solve multiplication and division problems for times tables facts 1-12.
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Addition and Subtraction Word Problem Task Cards (Numbers 1-50)
Use a range of addition and subtraction strategies to solve twenty word problems that contain numbers 1–50.
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Word Problem Worksheet - Number
Number word problem worksheet with answers.
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Word Problem Worksheet - Money
Money word problem worksheet with answers.
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Money Task Cards - Multi-Step Word Problems
Practise solving money word problems with a printable set of multi-step word problem task cards.
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Visual Estimation Games - Estimating Collections Interactive Task Cards
Play visual estimation games like this estimating collections interactive activity to let your students hone their spatial awareness, estimation and mental maths skills.
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Part Part Whole Word Problem Task Cards and Worksheet
Explore these animal-themed part-part-whole word problems that will open discussions with your young mathematicians.
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Addition and Subtraction Word Problems - Match Game
Practise reading, modelling, and solving addition and subtraction word problems with a matching activity.
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Basic Subtraction Word Problems - Worksheet
Solve subtraction word problems by drawing picture models with a printable subtraction worksheet.
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Rearranging Parts Word Problems Worksheet
Extend students with this rearranging parts word problem worksheet.
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Perimeter Word Problems Worksheet
Get students solving real-life perimeter word problems with a printable worksheet for 3rd and 4th grade.
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Multiplication and Division Word Problems Task Cards (Facts of 2, 5 and 10)
Use a range of strategies to solve multiplication and division problems with 2, 5 and 10 times tables.
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Multiplication Word Problems Template
A template to use as a scaffold to help students create multiplication word problems.
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Multiplication Match-Up Puzzles
A match-up activity to assist students in understanding multiplication word problems.
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Mini-Mystery – Who Won the Race?
A fun, logic-based activity where students read clues to solve the mystery.
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Pandora's Party Palace Maths Activity – Upper Years
Sixteen mathematics problem-solving task cards involving money in a real-world context.
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Pandora's Party Palace Maths Activity – Middle Years
16 mathematics problem solving task cards involving money in a real-world context.
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Money Word Problems Addition and Subtraction Board Game (American Money)
Download this money word problems addition and subtraction board game for a fun way to practise double-digit operations using real-world scenarios.
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Mixed Operations - Length Word Problems Worksheets
Solve multi-step length word problems with a printable pack of 3-act Maths Word Problem Worksheets.