Four Operations (Worded)
Four operations questions are worded problems that require choosing and correctly applying addition, subtraction, multiplication or division, sometimes several in the same question, to reach a numerical answer. 11+ papers test this without a calculator, so pupils must also work accurately with written and mental methods.
Method
- Read the question twice: underline the numbers and identify exactly what is being asked for, such as the total, the difference or the number of groups.
- Decide which operation the words point to: 'altogether' or 'total' usually means add, 'left' or 'difference' means subtract, 'each' or 'shared equally' means divide, and 'lots of' or 'times' means multiply.
- For multi-step problems, break the question into separate steps and work out each one in order, rather than trying to do it all in one calculation.
- Use a clear written method, such as column addition or subtraction or short or long multiplication or division, so your working can earn method marks even if the final answer is wrong.
- For division with a remainder, decide from the context whether to round up, round down or state the remainder, for example coaches needed must round up.
- Check your answer is a sensible size for the situation and that the units, such as pounds, minutes or kilometres, match what the question asked for.
Worked example
A cafe bakes 216 muffins. It packs them into boxes that each hold 9 muffins, then sells each full box for 12 pounds. How much money does the cafe make from selling all the full boxes?
- Find the number of full boxes by dividing the total muffins by the box size: 216 / 9 = 24.
- Check there is no remainder: 24 x 9 = 216, so all the muffins pack into full boxes exactly.
- Find the total money by multiplying the number of boxes by the price per box: 24 x 12.
- Work out 24 x 12 as 24 x 10 + 24 x 2 = 240 + 48 = 288.
Practice questions
Try each question, then tap to reveal the answer.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a 11+ exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
A supermarket orders 15 boxes of tins, each containing 24 tins. Work out the total number of tins ordered.
A school is organising a trip for 187 pupils. Each coach holds a maximum of 32 pupils. (a) Work out the least number of coaches needed so that every pupil has a seat. (b) Work out how many empty seats there will be once all the coaches are booked.
A market trader buys 45 kg of apples for 40.50 pounds. She repacks the apples into bags that each hold 600 g. (a) Work out the cost per kilogram of the apples. (b) Work out how many 600 g bags she can fill from the 45 kg of apples.
Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the four operations (worded) worksheet pack - 9 pages of exam-style questions with a full mark scheme. No sign-up, no email wall - just the PDF, free for personal and classroom use.
Next topics
Build a full practice pack.
This topic is one of hundreds in the library - pick the ones a student needs and generate a printable PDF in minutes.