Let's solve each of the multiplication problems step by step and identify the
"trick" problem — the one that is
not a multiplication problem.
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1) A pack of pens contains 3 pens. How many pens in 2 packs?
- Each pack has 3 pens.
- 2 packs → $ 3 \times 2 = 6 $
-
✔ Multiplication: $ 3 \times 2 = 6 $
✔ Answer: 6 pens
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2) How many wheels on 3 cars?
- Each car has 4 wheels.
- 3 cars → $ 4 \times 3 = 12 $
-
✔ Multiplication: $ 4 \times 3 = 12 $
✔ Answer: 12 wheels
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3) A paperclip is made from 10cm of wire. How much wire would I need for 3 paperclips?
- One paperclip = 10 cm
- Three paperclips → $ 10 \times 3 = 30 $ cm
-
✔ Multiplication: $ 10 \times 3 = 30 $
✔ Answer: 30 cm
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4) Sally runs for 3 miles a day. How far will she run in 3 days?
- 3 miles/day × 3 days = $ 3 \times 3 = 9 $ miles
-
✔ Multiplication: $ 3 \times 3 = 9 $
✔ Answer: 9 miles
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5) I buy 5 apples on Monday, and 7 more on Tuesday. How many have I bought in total?
- This is asking for the
sum of two amounts: $ 5 + 7 = 12 $
-
✘ Not multiplication — it’s
addition
- This is the
trick problem!
✘ Answer: 12 apples (but this is addition, not multiplication)
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6) A multipack bag of crisps holds 6 packets. How many packs of crisps in 2 multipacks?
- Each multipack has 6 packets
- 2 multipacks → $ 6 \times 2 = 12 $
-
✔ Multiplication: $ 6 \times 2 = 12 $
✔ Answer: 12 packets
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7) It takes a rocket 7 seconds to travel a mile. How long would it take the rocket to go 2 miles at that speed?
- 1 mile = 7 seconds
- 2 miles = $ 7 \times 2 = 14 $ seconds
-
✔ Multiplication: $ 7 \times 2 = 14 $
✔ Answer: 14 seconds
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✔ Summary of Answers:
| Problem | Answer | Type |
|--------|--------|------|
| 1 | 6 pens | Multiplication |
| 2 | 12 wheels | Multiplication |
| 3 | 30 cm | Multiplication |
| 4 | 9 miles | Multiplication |
| 5 | 12 apples |
✘ Addition (Trick!) |
| 6 | 12 packets | Multiplication |
| 7 | 14 seconds | Multiplication |
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🚩 The "Trick" Problem:
>
Problem 5 is the
trick problem because it involves
addition, not multiplication.
Even though it uses numbers, the operation required is
adding 5 and 7, not multiplying them.
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✔ Final Answer:
-
The trick problem is #5.
- It is
not a multiplication problem — it's an
addition problem.
Let me know if you'd like this formatted as a worksheet answer key!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of problem solving worksheet 3rd grade.
