Let's solve each of the multiplication problems step by step and identify the
"trick" problem that is *not* a multiplication problem.
---
1) The cruising speed of a Boeing 747 is about 574 miles per hour. How far would it travel at this speed in 4 hours?
This is a
distance = speed × time problem.
$$
574 \text{ mph} \times 4 \text{ hours} = 2,296 \text{ miles}
$$
✔ This is a
multiplication problem.
---
2) A mile is about 1609 meters. How many meters in 6 miles?
$$
1609 \times 6 = 9,654 \text{ meters}
$$
✔ Multiplication problem.
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3) Calculators come in boxes of 24. A school orders 32 boxes. How many calculators will the school get?
$$
24 \times 32 = 768 \text{ calculators}
$$
✔ Multiplication problem.
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4) A sailfish can swim at a top speed of 68 miles per hour. How fast can 9 sailfish swim?
Here’s where we need to think carefully.
- The question asks:
"How fast can 9 sailfish swim?"
- Each sailfish swims at
68 mph, but
speed does not add up when multiple animals are involved.
- You can’t say "9 sailfish swim at 612 mph" — they each swim at 68 mph individually.
So, the
correct interpretation is:
Each sailfish swims at 68 mph, so
9 sailfish still swim at 68 mph each.
➡️
This is NOT a multiplication problem — it's a trick question testing understanding of
what “how fast” means.
🚫 This is the
trick problem — it's
not asking for total distance or combined speed, just the speed of one fish (which doesn't change with number).
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5) There are about 85 words on a page of Captain’s Sea Stories book. If the book has 99 pages, about how many words are there in total?
$$
85 \times 99 = 8,415 \text{ words}
$$
✔ Multiplication problem.
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6) A pack of cards contains 52 cards. How many cards in 36 packs?
$$
52 \times 36 = 1,872 \text{ cards}
$$
✔ Multiplication problem.
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7) A recordable DVD has a capacity of 4.7GB and can record up to 120 minutes of television. How much capacity do 5 discs have?
We’re asked:
Total capacity of 5 discs → multiply the capacity of one disc by 5.
$$
4.7 \text{ GB} \times 5 = 23.5 \text{ GB}
$$
✔ Multiplication problem.
---
✔ Final Answer:
-
All problems except #4 are multiplication problems.
-
Problem #4 is the "trick" problem because it's
not asking for a total or combined quantity — it's asking about speed, which doesn't increase with more fish.
> 🔍
The trick problem is #4.
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🟩 Summary of Answers:
1) $ 574 \times 4 = 2,296 $ miles
2) $ 1609 \times 6 = 9,654 $ meters
3) $ 24 \times 32 = 768 $ calculators
4)
Trick problem! 9 sailfish each swim at
68 mph — total speed isn’t multiplied.
5) $ 85 \times 99 = 8,415 $ words
6) $ 52 \times 36 = 1,872 $ cards
7) $ 4.7 \times 5 = 23.5 $ GB
✔ The trick problem is #4.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of hard math word problems.
