How to Solve Class 5 Maths Word Problems Step-by-Step
Word problems in mathematics refer to the information presented through ordinary storytelling, and students have to understand and transform it into mathematical equations. The level of difficulty of the exercises has been lowered, and mathematical ideas have been simplified to the greatest extent possible. To understand how concepts are used, each topic offers a substantial number of examples. We will focus on the four fundamental operations, fractions, decimals, etc. in fifth grade.
Word Problems on Addition and Subtraction for Class 5
Addition and subtraction word problems for Class 5 are necessary for students to build upon the basic addition and subtraction skill of arithmetic.
The benefit of addition and subtraction word problems is that students understand how to comprehend the given information in the word problems and write it in mathematical notation in order to solve it further.
Q1. Jerry had 87 marbles. He collected 74 more today. How many marbles does he have now?
Ans: Here from the question, it is given that Jerry had 87 marbles.
Since he collected 74 more,
So the total marble becomes 87 + 74
= 161
Jerry has a total of 161 marbles.
Q2. Mr. Sebastian had $257$. He bought an oven for $158$. How much money is left with him?
Ans: According to the question,
Mr. Sebastian had $257$. Out of $257$, he bought an oven for $158$.
So the money he had left will become:
= $257$ - $158$
= $99$
Word Problems on Multiplication and Division for Class 5
Multiplication and division word problems for Class 5 will enhance the student's understanding of multiplication and division while solving real-life problems. Multiplication and division are one of the four basic arithmetic operations which find their use in our everyday lives.
Q1. A baseball team has 9 players. In a tournament, there are 6 teams. How many players are total in all?
Ans: In question, it is given that a baseball team has 9 players. If in a tournament there are 6 teams,
So the total players will become $9 \times 6$
= 54 players,
Therefore, 54 players are in total.
Q2. A farmer has to sow 500 seeds in 20 rows. How many seeds should be sown in each row?
Ans: According to the question, a farmer has to sow 500 seeds in 20 rows.
To find the number of seeds in each row, we need to divide the number of sown seeds by the rows.
Therefore, $\dfrac{500}{20}$ = 25
Hence, 25 seeds should be sown in each row.
Fraction Word Problems for Class 5
The fraction word problems for Class 5 help the students uncover fraction concepts and their usage in real-life situations. Fractions mean a part of the whole and they find their place everywhere making it an important topic to learn.
Q1. Sean buys 25 stickers on Monday and 17 on Tuesday. On Wednesday, he gives $\dfrac{5}{6}$ th of his stickers to James. How many does he have left?
Ans: Total stickers bought by Sean = Number of stickers bought on (Monday + Tuesday)
= 25 + 17
= 42 stickers.
Since he gave $\dfrac{5}{6}$ th of his stickers to James.
i.e. $\dfrac{5}{6}$ th of 42 stickers to James.
= $\dfrac{5}{6} \times 42$
= $5 \times 7$
= 35
So, he gave 35 stickers to James.
The number of stickers left for Sean is 42 - 35
= 7
Therefore, he has 7 stickers left.
Word Problems for Class 5 with Solution
Q1. Mr. Thomas sold 832 cookies in January and 917 cookies in February. How many cookies did he sell in these two months?
Ans: According to the question,
Mr. Thomas sold 832 cookies in January and 917 cookies in February.
So the total cookies he sold will become: 832 + 917
= 1749
Q2. There are 40 pieces in a jigsaw puzzle. How many pieces are there in 3 such puzzles?
Ans: As per the question, there are 40 pieces in a jigsaw puzzle.
So to find the number of pieces in 3 puzzles, we have to multiply it by 40.
Therefore, $40 \times 3$
= 120
Hence, 120 pieces are in 3 puzzles.
Q3. The average rate of heartbeat per minute is 72. In how many minutes the heart would beat 1440 times?
Ans: Given,
The average rate of heartbeat per minute is 72.
So for 1440 times, $\dfrac{1440}{72}$
= 20 minutes.
Therefore, In 20 minutes the heart would beat 1440 times.
Q4. Hannah has 72 sweets in a bag. She keeps $\dfrac{1}{3}$rd of them for herself and shares the rest with friends. How many sweets will she give to her friends?
Ans: According to the question, Hannah has 72 sweets in a bag.
She keeps $\dfrac{1}{3}$rd of them for herself.
i.e. $\dfrac{1}{3}$rd of 72
= $\dfrac{1}{3} \times 72$
= $1 \times 24$
= 24
So she kept 24 for herself.
Therefore, Hannah has sweets = 72 - 24
= 48
Hence, she will give 48 sweets to her friends.
Practice Word Problems for Class 5
Q1. The population of the town is 78,384. If out of this, 38,400 are female, find the male population.
Ans: 39,984
Q2. Among every 5 bikes manufactured by a company, one bike is a special edition. If the company manufactures 150 bikes, how many bikes are special editions?
Ans: 30 bikes
Summary
For kids to master any topic, it is necessary to solve various problems within that topic. This article covered problems based on addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and fraction. These problems will give insights and more clarity in day-to-day life while solving arithmetic problems. At the end of the article, we added solved examples and practice questions to get a better understanding.
FAQs on Class 5 Maths Word Problems: Practice with Solutions
1. What are word problems in Class 5 Maths?
In Class 5 Maths, word problems are real-life scenarios or stories that require a mathematical solution. Instead of just giving you numbers to add or subtract, they describe a situation. Your task is to read the story, understand what is being asked, and then apply the correct mathematical operation—like addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division—to find the answer.
2. What are the different types of word problems in the Class 5 Maths syllabus for 2025-26?
As per the CBSE syllabus for Class 5, word problems primarily focus on the four basic operations and their real-world applications. The main types include:
Addition and Subtraction: Problems involving combining quantities, finding totals, or calculating the difference.
Multiplication and Division: Scenarios about finding the total cost of multiple items, distributing things equally, or calculating rates.
Fractions and Decimals: Problems that involve calculating parts of a whole or working with decimal numbers, often related to money or measurements.
Measurement: Questions related to length, weight, capacity, and time.
Money: Problems involving bills, change, profit, and loss.
3. What is a good step-by-step method to solve any Maths word problem for Class 5?
A reliable method to solve any word problem involves a few simple steps. First, read the problem carefully two or three times to understand the story. Second, identify the given information and what you need to find. Third, look for keywords to decide which operation (+, -, ×, ÷) to use. Fourth, perform the calculation correctly. Finally, write down your answer clearly with the correct units (e.g., rupees, kg, cm).
4. How can I identify whether a word problem requires multiplication or division?
To figure out whether to multiply or divide, look for clue words and understand the context. Multiplication is often used for finding a 'total' when you have multiple groups of the same size (keywords: 'times', 'each', 'product of', 'total'). Division is typically used when you need to 'share' or 'distribute' something equally into groups (keywords: 'distribute', 'share', 'each gets', 'per', 'average').
5. Why is it important to practise word problems in Class 5 Maths?
Practising word problems is crucial because it develops critical thinking and problem-solving skills, not just calculation ability. It helps you understand how mathematics is used in everyday life, such as in shopping, budgeting pocket money, or sharing items with friends. This makes learning Maths more practical, relatable, and helps build a strong foundation for more complex topics in higher classes.
6. What does a typical word problem involving money look like for a Class 5 student?
A typical money-related word problem for Class 5 might involve multiple steps. For example: "Ravi bought 3 notebooks for ₹25 each and a pen for ₹15. If he gave the shopkeeper a ₹100 note, how much change did he receive?" To solve this, you need to first multiply to find the total cost of the notebooks, then add the cost of the pen, and finally subtract the total amount from ₹100.
7. What are some common mistakes to avoid when solving Class 5 Maths word problems?
Some common mistakes students make include not reading the question carefully, choosing the wrong operation (like adding when subtraction is needed), and making simple calculation errors. Another frequent mistake is forgetting to write the units in the final answer (e.g., writing '10' instead of '10 kg'). Always double-check your question and your answer to avoid these errors.
