Let's solve each of these
multiplication word problems step by step and identify which one is
not a multiplication problem.
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1) Tyger Salamander has a skipping rope 5 ft long. Captain Salamander’s rope is 3 times longer. How long is the Captain’s rope? ___ ft
- Tyger’s rope = 5 ft
- Captain’s rope = 3 × 5 =
15 ft
✔ Multiplication: 3 × 5 = 15
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Answer: 15 ft
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2) Tyger Salamander skips for 4 minutes and manages to skip 7 times every minute. How many skips does he do? ___ skips
- Skips per minute = 7
- Time = 4 minutes
- Total skips = 4 × 7 =
28 skips
✔ Multiplication: 4 × 7 = 28
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Answer: 28 skips
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3) Captain Salamander skips for 3 minutes and manages 9 skips a minute. How many skips does he do? ___ skips
- Skips per minute = 9
- Time = 3 minutes
- Total skips = 3 × 9 =
27 skips
✔ Multiplication: 3 × 9 = 27
>
Answer: 27 skips
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4) In the running race, Frazer manages to run at 6 miles per hour. Flame runs three times as fast. What is her speed? ___ mph
- Frazer’s speed = 6 mph
- Flame’s speed = 3 × 6 =
18 mph
✔ Multiplication: 3 × 6 = 18
>
Answer: 18 mph
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5) In the jumping race, Captain Salamander jumps 6 inches off the ground. Sally the Shape Salamander manages to jump 4 times higher. How high does she jump? ___ inches
- Captain’s jump = 6 inches
- Sally’s jump = 4 × 6 =
24 inches
✔ Multiplication: 4 × 6 = 24
>
Answer: 24 inches
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6) In the mud throwing competition, Tyger throws his mud 9 inches. Quatra throws her mud twice as far. How far does she throw her mud? ___ inches
- Tyger’s throw = 9 inches
- Quatra’s throw = 2 × 9 =
18 inches
✔ Multiplication: 2 × 9 = 18
>
Answer: 18 inches
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7) In the running race, it takes Quatra 9 seconds to complete the race. Frazer is 3 seconds slower than her. How fast is Frazer? ___ seconds
- Quatra’s time = 9 seconds
- Frazer is
3 seconds slower, so:
- Frazer’s time = 9 + 3 =
12 seconds
✘ This is
addition, not multiplication!
>
Answer: 12 seconds
⚠️ This is
NOT a multiplication problem — it uses
addition.
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8) At the end of the sports day, Quatra has 8 points. Captain Salamander has 5 times as many points. How many points does the Captain have? ___ points
- Quatra’s points = 8
- Captain’s points = 5 × 8 =
40 points
✔ Multiplication: 5 × 8 = 40
>
Answer: 40 points
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✔ Final Answers:
1) 15 ft
2) 28 skips
3) 27 skips
4) 18 mph
5) 24 inches
6) 18 inches
7)
12 seconds ←
Not a multiplication problem!
8) 40 points
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🔍 Answer to the Bonus Question:
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"One of these problems is not a multiplication problem at all! Can you spot it?"
✔ Problem #7 is
not a multiplication problem — it involves
addition (9 + 3 = 12).
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🟩 Summary:
-
All problems except #7 are multiplication.
-
Problem #7 is addition.
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✔ The non-multiplication problem is #7.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of math word problems grade 3.
