Multiplication Word Problems for 3rd Grade | Educational Resource - Free Printable

Let’s solve each problem one by one, step by step.

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Problem 1: Ollyver and the mini sandwiches

Ollyver is making sandwiches for himself and three friends.
That means: 1 (himself) + 3 (friends) = 4 people total.

He wants to give 4 sandwiches to each friend.
Wait — does “each friend” include himself? The problem says “give 4 to each friend”, not “to each person”. But he’s also making them for himself. Let’s read carefully:

> “make mini sandwiches for himself and three of his friends... give 4 to each friend”

Hmm — it says “give 4 to each friend”, but doesn’t say how many he gives himself. That might be a trick. But in most school problems like this, if he’s making them for himself and friends, and says “give 4 to each friend”, we assume he’s including himself as getting 4 too — unless specified otherwise.

But let’s look again: “for himself and three of his friends” → that’s 4 people. Then “give 4 to each friend” — maybe “friend” here means all 4 people? Or just the 3 friends?

Actually, re-reading: “How many sandwiches does he need to make if he is going to give 4 to each friend?”

It says “each friend”, not “each person”. So probably only the 3 friends get 4 each. What about himself? The problem doesn’t say he eats any. Maybe he’s just making them for his friends? But it says “for himself and three of his friends”.

This is ambiguous. But in typical elementary math problems, when someone makes something “for himself and X friends”, and then says “give Y to each”, they usually mean everyone gets Y — including himself.

Let me check common interpretation: If you’re making food for yourself and 3 friends, and you give 4 to each person, that’s 4 people × 4 = 16.

If only friends get 4, and he gets none, that would be 3 × 4 = 12 — but that seems odd because why mention “for himself”?

I think the intended meaning is: 4 people total (him + 3 friends), each gets 4 sandwiches.

So: 4 people × 4 sandwiches = 16 sandwiches

Equation: 4 × 4 = 16

Sketch idea: Draw 4 stick figures, each with 4 little sandwich icons next to them.

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Problem 2: Joslyn and orange juice

She used 5 oranges per glass.
Made 7 glasses.

Total oranges = 5 × 7 = 35

Equation: 5 × 7 = 35

Sketch: Draw 7 glasses, each with 5 little orange circles inside or beside them.

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Problem 3: Kayley preparing games

She invited 4 friends. She wanted to play 4 different games. Each game takes 10 minutes to prepare.

Question: How long will it take her to prepare all the games?

Note: It doesn’t matter how many friends she invited — that’s extra info. We care about how many games and time per game.

4 games × 10 minutes each = 40 minutes

Equation: 4 × 10 = 40

Sketch: Draw 4 game boxes, each labeled “10 min”, add them up.

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Problem 4: Kenton and pizza slices

Kenton went to the park with 4 friends.
So total people: Kenton + 4 friends = 5 people

Each brought 4 slices of pizza.

Total pizza slices = 5 people × 4 slices = 20 slices

(Note: The chips are extra info — question only asks for pizza slices.)

Equation: 5 × 4 = 20

Sketch: Draw 5 people, each holding 4 pizza slice icons.

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Now, double-checking calculations:

1. 4 people × 4 sandwiches = 16 ✔️
2. 5 oranges/glass × 7 glasses = 35 ✔️
3. 4 games × 10 min = 40 min ✔️
4. 5 people × 4 slices = 20 slices ✔️

All correct.

Final Answer:
1. 16
2. 35
3. 40
4. 20