Grade 3 · Operations & Algebraic Thinking · MAT-03-OA-011
Solve One-Step Multiplication and Division Problems
Represent solve one-step multiplication and division problems with words, symbols, diagrams, or models appropriate to Grade 3.
Learning objectives
What you should be able to do
- Represent solve one-step multiplication and division problems with words, symbols, diagrams, or models appropriate to Grade 3.
- Solve problems involving solve one-step multiplication and division problems accurately and explain why the method works.
- Check results for reasonableness using a second representation, inverse relationship, benchmark, or property when appropriate.
Prerequisite check
Make sure the foundation is ready.
Checks conceptual readiness before new Grade 3 reasoning.
Checks whether prior skills are available for use, not only recalled by name.
Learn
Build the idea from meaning, not memorization.
Meaning of Solve One-Step Multiplication and Division Problems
Multiplication and division solve different equal-group questions depending on which quantities are known.
A reliable reasoning strategy
Identify whether the unknown is total, group size, or number of groups before choosing an operation.
Representations that should agree
Drawings, bar models, arrays, and equations should describe the same situation. A correct model, equation, verbal explanation, or diagram should preserve the same quantities and relationships.
How to check the result
Check whether the answer fits the quantities, units, and structure of the problem. Use a second representation or inverse relationship when available, and explain what would make an answer unreasonable.
Interactive math lab
Change it. See what stays true.
Equation Balance
Adjust both sides. Equality means both expressions have the same value.
Balanced: both sides have equal value.
- build a model
- change one quantity
- predict before calculating
- explain why the result changes
Worked examples
Twenty different ways to see the concept work.
There are 3 trays with 4 muffins on each tray. How many muffins?
3 × 4 = 12Equal groups with a missing total call for multiplication.
24 markers are shared among 4 teams equally. How many markers per team?
24 ÷ 4 = 6A known total and number of groups with missing group size call for division.
There are 5 trays with 8 muffins on each tray. How many muffins?
5 × 8 = 40Equal groups with a missing total call for multiplication.
12 markers are shared among 6 teams equally. How many markers per team?
12 ÷ 6 = 2A known total and number of groups with missing group size call for division.
There are 7 trays with 4 muffins on each tray. How many muffins?
7 × 4 = 28Equal groups with a missing total call for multiplication.
48 markers are shared among 8 teams equally. How many markers per team?
48 ÷ 8 = 6A known total and number of groups with missing group size call for division.
There are 9 trays with 8 muffins on each tray. How many muffins?
9 × 8 = 72Equal groups with a missing total call for multiplication.
4 markers are shared among 2 teams equally. How many markers per team?
4 ÷ 2 = 2A known total and number of groups with missing group size call for division.
There are 3 trays with 4 muffins on each tray. How many muffins?
3 × 4 = 12Equal groups with a missing total call for multiplication.
24 markers are shared among 4 teams equally. How many markers per team?
24 ÷ 4 = 6A known total and number of groups with missing group size call for division.
There are 5 trays with 8 muffins on each tray. How many muffins?
5 × 8 = 40Equal groups with a missing total call for multiplication.
12 markers are shared among 6 teams equally. How many markers per team?
12 ÷ 6 = 2A known total and number of groups with missing group size call for division.
There are 7 trays with 4 muffins on each tray. How many muffins?
7 × 4 = 28Equal groups with a missing total call for multiplication.
48 markers are shared among 8 teams equally. How many markers per team?
48 ÷ 8 = 6A known total and number of groups with missing group size call for division.
There are 9 trays with 8 muffins on each tray. How many muffins?
9 × 8 = 72Equal groups with a missing total call for multiplication.
4 markers are shared among 2 teams equally. How many markers per team?
4 ÷ 2 = 2A known total and number of groups with missing group size call for division.
There are 3 trays with 4 muffins on each tray. How many muffins?
3 × 4 = 12Equal groups with a missing total call for multiplication.
24 markers are shared among 4 teams equally. How many markers per team?
24 ÷ 4 = 6A known total and number of groups with missing group size call for division.
There are 5 trays with 8 muffins on each tray. How many muffins?
5 × 8 = 40Equal groups with a missing total call for multiplication.
12 markers are shared among 6 teams equally. How many markers per team?
12 ÷ 6 = 2A known total and number of groups with missing group size call for division.
Practice
Guided practice with hints
01There are 9 trays with 8 muffins on each tray. How many muffins?
Hint: Identify whether the unknown is total, group size, or number of groups before choosing an operation.
Answer: 72
024 markers are shared among 2 teams equally. How many markers per team?
Hint: Identify whether the unknown is total, group size, or number of groups before choosing an operation.
Answer: 2
03There are 3 trays with 4 muffins on each tray. How many muffins?
Hint: Identify whether the unknown is total, group size, or number of groups before choosing an operation.
Answer: 12
0424 markers are shared among 4 teams equally. How many markers per team?
Hint: Identify whether the unknown is total, group size, or number of groups before choosing an operation.
Answer: 6
05There are 5 trays with 8 muffins on each tray. How many muffins?
Hint: Identify whether the unknown is total, group size, or number of groups before choosing an operation.
Answer: 40
0612 markers are shared among 6 teams equally. How many markers per team?
Hint: Identify whether the unknown is total, group size, or number of groups before choosing an operation.
Answer: 2
Practice
Independent practice
01There are 5 trays with 8 muffins on each tray. How many muffins?
Answer: 40
0212 markers are shared among 6 teams equally. How many markers per team?
Answer: 2
03There are 7 trays with 4 muffins on each tray. How many muffins?
Answer: 28
0448 markers are shared among 8 teams equally. How many markers per team?
Answer: 6
05There are 9 trays with 8 muffins on each tray. How many muffins?
Answer: 72
064 markers are shared among 2 teams equally. How many markers per team?
Answer: 2
07There are 3 trays with 4 muffins on each tray. How many muffins?
Answer: 12
0824 markers are shared among 4 teams equally. How many markers per team?
Answer: 6
Common mistakes
Learn to catch the error, not just the answer.
Name what is known and unknown, then select the operation that matches the relationship.
Reconnect the answer to solve one-step multiplication and division problems and verify that the model, calculation, and label describe the same quantity.
Applications & challenge
Use the idea beyond a single exercise.
Applications
- Solve packing, sharing, seating, and equal-cost situations.
- Use solve one-step multiplication and division problems to interpret or solve a Grade 3 situation with quantities, diagrams, measurements, or data.
Challenge problems
There are 9 trays with 8 muffins on each tray. How many muffins?
72
4 markers are shared among 2 teams equally. How many markers per team?
2
There are 3 trays with 4 muffins on each tray. How many muffins?
12
24 markers are shared among 4 teams equally. How many markers per team?
6
Flashcards
Retrieve it from memory.
Flashcards
Card 1 of 4
Game mode
Solve One-Step Multiplication and Division Problems Challenge
Solve and explain Grade 3 problems involving solve one-step multiplication and division problems without relying on answer guessing.
Practice
Mastery check
01There are 5 trays with 8 muffins on each tray. How many muffins?
Answer: 40
0212 markers are shared among 6 teams equally. How many markers per team?
Answer: 2
03There are 7 trays with 4 muffins on each tray. How many muffins?
Answer: 28
0448 markers are shared among 8 teams equally. How many markers per team?
Answer: 6
05There are 9 trays with 8 muffins on each tray. How many muffins?
Answer: 72
064 markers are shared among 2 teams equally. How many markers per team?
Answer: 2
07There are 3 trays with 4 muffins on each tray. How many muffins?
Answer: 12
0824 markers are shared among 4 teams equally. How many markers per team?
Answer: 6
Terminology
Words to know
- situation equation
- An equation that represents the quantities in a word problem.
- unknown quantity
- The quantity the problem asks you to find.
Continue learning
Connected concepts
Curriculum references
Standards and instructional references
California Common Core State Standards for Mathematics — Grade 3, 3.OA.3
Primary standards alignment for Solve One-Step Multiplication and Division Problems.2023 Mathematics Framework for California Public Schools
Instructional emphasis on reasoning, representations, problem solving, and equitable access.