100 Multi-step Problems for Y2/Y3

The 6 page pdf file contains 100 two-step problems, such as:

• Subtract 12 from the product of 7 and 2
• Double the difference between 28 and 41
• Multiply a fifth of 20 by 10
• Five times a number has the same value as 28 + 17. What is the number?

This maths activity focused on helping children to work out what to do when faced with a two-step problem.

Working with thinking partners, each child has a problem card.

They take it in turns to read it out and discuss how it could be attacked; discussing what maths functions they need to apply in order to solve the problem. Importantly, they must also decide on the order of those functions and be prepared to explain everything to each other.

The focus (as with most mathsticks resources) is very much on the maths talk.

This is a very useful activity for either the introductory or plenary phase of a lesson with children working together on mini whiteboards.

The maths problems could also be used as part of group activity. Naturally, the focus is on the mathematical talk and the decisions the children make regarding the problem rather than on the actual “answer”.

The problems here could easily be adapted or enhanced. In a following session the children could be asked to create their own problems, using these as a template, but focusing on specific concepts: subtraction and percentages, for example.

10 pages with 10 problems each - print, cut out, laminate, use and re-use.

If you use this, please rate the resource so others can find it, and post a comment to let me know how it worked for you.