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 7m long. The real plane is 10 times longer. How long is the actual plane?
- This is a multiplication problem:
$ 7 \times 10 = 70 $ meters
✔ Answer: 70 meters
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2) A box of eggs holds 6 eggs. If I had 20 full boxes, how many eggs would I have?
- Multiply number of eggs per box by number of boxes:
$ 6 \times 20 = 120 $ eggs
✔ Answer: 120 eggs
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3) A pack of 8 pens costs me $10. I buy 12 packs. How many pens have I bought?
- We are asked for the
number of pens, not cost.
Each pack has 8 pens → $ 8 \times 12 = 96 $ pens
✔ Answer: 96 pens
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4) A box of chocolates contains 30 chocolates. How many chocolates in 4 boxes?
- $ 30 \times 4 = 120 $ chocolates
✔ Answer: 120 chocolates
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5) How many days in 20 weeks?
- There are 7 days in a week → $ 7 \times 20 = 140 $ days
✔ Answer: 140 days
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6) A paperclip is made from 10cm of wire. How many paperclips could be made from 70cm of wire?
- Divide total wire by wire per paperclip:
$ 70 \div 10 = 7 $ paperclips
✘ This is
division, not multiplication!
But let’s check: Is this really a trick?
Wait — it’s asking “how many paperclips can be made?” which is a
division problem:
$ 70 \div 10 = 7 $
So this is
not a multiplication problem.
❗
This is the trick problem!
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7) A ream contains 500 sheets of paper. How many sheets in 2 reams?
- $ 500 \times 2 = 1000 $ sheets
✔ Answer: 1000 sheets
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8) How many seconds in 3 minutes?
- 1 minute = 60 seconds → $ 60 \times 3 = 180 $ seconds
✔ Answer: 180 seconds
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##
✔ Final Answers:
1. 70 m
2. 120 eggs
3. 96 pens
4. 120 chocolates
5. 140 days
6.
7 paperclips ←
Trick problem (division)
7. 1000 sheets
8. 180 seconds
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## 🔍 The Trick Problem:
>
Problem #6 is the
trick problem because it involves
division, not multiplication.
Even though it's about making multiple paperclips, the question asks *how many* can be made from a given amount — which requires dividing the total wire by the amount needed per paperclip.
$$
\text{Number of paperclips} = \frac{70\,\text{cm}}{10\,\text{cm per clip}} = 7
$$
So, while all others involve multiplying groups or quantities,
#6 is division.
---
🎯
Answer to the challenge:
👉
The trick problem is #6. It is not a multiplication problem — it's a division problem.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of multiplication word problems worksheet 4th.
