Multiplication Word Problems 4th Grade - Free Printable

Let's solve each of these multiplication problems step by step and identify the "trick" problem that is not a multiplication problem.

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1) A scale model of a Boeing 747 is 5 feet long. The real plane is fifty times longer. How long is the actual plane?

This is a multiplication problem:
$ 5 \text{ ft} \times 50 = 250 \text{ ft} $

✔ Answer: 250 feet

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2) A box of eggs holds 6 eggs. If I had 40 full boxes, how many eggs would I have?

Multiply number of boxes by eggs per box:
$ 6 \times 40 = 240 $

✔ Answer: 240 eggs

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3) A pack of 8 pens costs me £12. I buy 20 packs. How many pens have I bought?

We are asked for the number of pens, not the cost.
Each pack has 8 pens → $ 8 \times 20 = 160 $ pens

✔ Answer: 160 pens

> Note: The price (£12) is extra information — we don’t need it.

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4) A box of chocolates contains 30 chocolates. How many chocolates in 9 boxes?

$ 30 \times 9 = 270 $

✔ Answer: 270 chocolates

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5) How many days in 40 weeks?

There are 7 days in a week → $ 7 \times 40 = 280 $

✔ Answer: 280 days

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6) A paperclip is made from 10cm of wire. How many paperclips could be made from 2m of wire?

First, convert meters to centimeters:
$ 2 \text{ m} = 200 \text{ cm} $

Now divide total wire by wire per paperclip:
$ 200 \div 10 = 20 $

⚠️ This is a division problem, not multiplication!

✘ Not a multiplication problem! → This is the "trick" problem

✔ Answer: 20 paperclips (but solved via division)

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7) A ream contains 500 sheets of paper. How many sheets in 3 reams?

$ 500 \times 3 = 1500 $

✔ Answer: 1500 sheets

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8) How many seconds in 6 minutes?

There are 60 seconds in a minute → $ 60 \times 6 = 360 $

✔ Answer: 360 seconds

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✔ Final Answers:

1. 250 feet
2. 240 eggs
3. 160 pens
4. 270 chocolates
5. 280 days
6. 20 paperclips (this is the trick problem – it's division)
7. 1500 sheets
8. 360 seconds

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🔍 The "Trick" Problem:

👉 Problem #6 is the trick one because it involves division, not multiplication.

Even though you're using multiplication facts (knowing 10 × 20 = 200), the operation required is division:
$$
\frac{200 \text{ cm}}{10 \text{ cm per paperclip}} = 20 \text{ paperclips}
$$

So, while multiplication is involved in understanding the relationship, the core operation is division.

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🎯 Conclusion:

The trick problem is #6, as it is not a multiplication problem.

✔ Answer: The trick problem is #6.