MAFS.3.OA.4.8Archived Standard

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Solve two-step word problems using the four operations. Represent these problems using equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity. Assess the reasonableness of answers using mental computation and estimation strategies including rounding.
General Information
Subject Area: Mathematics
Grade: 3
Domain-Subdomain: Operations and Algebraic Thinking
Cluster: Level 2: Basic Application of Skills & Concepts
Cluster: Solve problems involving the four operations, and identify and explain patterns in arithmetic. (Major Cluster) -

Clusters should not be sorted from Major to Supporting and then taught in that order. To do so would strip the coherence of the mathematical ideas and miss the opportunity to enhance the major work of the grade with the supporting clusters.

Date Adopted or Revised: 02/14
Content Complexity Rating: Level 2: Basic Application of Skills & Concepts - More Information
Date of Last Rating: 02/14
Status: State Board Approved - Archived
Assessed: Yes
Test Item Specifications

  • Assessment Limits :
    Adding and subtracting is limited to whole numbers within 1,000. All values in multiplication or division situations may not exceed whole number multiplication facts of 10 x 10 or the related division facts. Students may not be required to perform rounding in isolation. Equations may be provided in items.
  • Calculator :

    No

  • Context :

    Required

Sample Test Items (2)
  • Test Item #: Sample Item 1
  • Question:

    A bookstore has 4 boxes of books. Each box contains 20 books. On Monday, the bookstore sold 16 books. How many books remain to be sold?

  • Difficulty: N/A
  • Type: EE: Equation Editor
  • Test Item #: Sample Item 2
  • Question:

    This question has two parts.

    A third-grade class is collecting plastic bottles for an art project. On the first day of collecting bottles, 2 students each bring in 8 bottles. By the end of the week, 127 bottles are added to the amount brought in on the first day. 

    Part A.  Which equation can be used to find the total number of plastic bottles, p, that the third-grade class collected by the end of the week?

     

    Part B. What is the total number of plastic bottles the third-grade class has by the end of the week?

     

  • Difficulty: N/A
  • Type: MC: Multiple Choice

Related Courses

This benchmark is part of these courses.
5012050: Grade Three Mathematics (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
7712040: Access Mathematics Grade 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
5012055: Grade 3 Accelerated Mathematics (Specifically in versions: 2019 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
5012015: Foundational Skills in Mathematics 3-5 (Specifically in versions: 2019 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))

Related Access Points

Alternate version of this benchmark for students with significant cognitive disabilities.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Formative Assessments

Zoo Field Trip:

Students solve a two-step word problem involving subtraction and division and then choose an equation that represents the word problem.

Type: Formative Assessment

Party Beverages:

Students solve a two-step problem requiring multiplication and addition and then write an equation to represent the problem.

Type: Formative Assessment

Bake Sale:

Students solve a two-step word problem involving addition and division and then write an equation to represent the problem.

Type: Formative Assessment

Books at the Book Fair:

Students solve a two-step word problem involving multiplication and subtraction and then write an equation to represent the problem.

Type: Formative Assessment

Lesson Plans

Multiplying Numbers: Fall Festival Extravaganza:

Students will organize and analyze data to create equations with variables. Students will use their understanding of equations to solve two-step word problems using data collected from the Morgan Woods Fall Festival Supply Sheet. Students will then communicate their understanding of the data through a written budget proposal sheet.

Type: Lesson Plan

Getting the hang of two-step word problems:

Students will solve two-step word problems involving subtraction and division and represent these problems using equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity.

Type: Lesson Plan

Chess Wish List:

The 3rd grade chess club members will make two wish lists on how to spend $75 on chess related materials. Then they have to make two new wish lists on how to spend $750 on chess related materials.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Type: Lesson Plan

Science Space Camp:

This MEA asks the students to compare information provided on various Science Space Camps to be attended by a student during the summer. They will take into account past attendee's reviews of the camps which should create interesting student discussions.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Type: Lesson Plan

Water Park Fun Day:

This third grade MEA asks students to work as a team to figure out which activities they would like to do at the water park with a given amount of tickets and time. Students will make informed decisions about which activities and food and beverage items on which to spend their allotted tickets.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Type: Lesson Plan

Original Student Tutorial

Protect the Turtles: Solve Two-Step Word Problems:

Solve some two-step word problems and write equations about sea turtles and how pollution created by people is impacting their survival in this interactive tutorial.  

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Problem-Solving Task

The Stamp Collection:

For students who are unfamiliar with this language the task provides a preparation for the later understanding that a fraction of a quantity is that fraction times the quantity.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Student Center Activity

Edcite: Mathematics Grade 3:

Students can practice answering mathematics questions on a variety of topics. With an account, students can save their work and send it to their teacher when complete.

Type: Student Center Activity

Tutorial

Total Seats in a Theater:

Solve a two-step word problem by drawing a picture and creating an equation.

Type: Tutorial

STEM Lessons - Model Eliciting Activity

Chess Wish List:

The 3rd grade chess club members will make two wish lists on how to spend $75 on chess related materials. Then they have to make two new wish lists on how to spend $750 on chess related materials.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Science Space Camp:

This MEA asks the students to compare information provided on various Science Space Camps to be attended by a student during the summer. They will take into account past attendee's reviews of the camps which should create interesting student discussions.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Water Park Fun Day:

This third grade MEA asks students to work as a team to figure out which activities they would like to do at the water park with a given amount of tickets and time. Students will make informed decisions about which activities and food and beverage items on which to spend their allotted tickets.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

MFAS Formative Assessments

Bake Sale:

Students solve a two-step word problem involving addition and division and then write an equation to represent the problem.

Books at the Book Fair:

Students solve a two-step word problem involving multiplication and subtraction and then write an equation to represent the problem.

Party Beverages:

Students solve a two-step problem requiring multiplication and addition and then write an equation to represent the problem.

Zoo Field Trip:

Students solve a two-step word problem involving subtraction and division and then choose an equation that represents the word problem.

Original Student Tutorials Mathematics - Grades K-5

Protect the Turtles: Solve Two-Step Word Problems:

Solve some two-step word problems and write equations about sea turtles and how pollution created by people is impacting their survival in this interactive tutorial.  

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Original Student Tutorial

Protect the Turtles: Solve Two-Step Word Problems:

Solve some two-step word problems and write equations about sea turtles and how pollution created by people is impacting their survival in this interactive tutorial.  

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Problem-Solving Task

The Stamp Collection:

For students who are unfamiliar with this language the task provides a preparation for the later understanding that a fraction of a quantity is that fraction times the quantity.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Student Center Activity

Edcite: Mathematics Grade 3:

Students can practice answering mathematics questions on a variety of topics. With an account, students can save their work and send it to their teacher when complete.

Type: Student Center Activity

Tutorial

Total Seats in a Theater:

Solve a two-step word problem by drawing a picture and creating an equation.

Type: Tutorial

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Problem-Solving Task

The Stamp Collection:

For students who are unfamiliar with this language the task provides a preparation for the later understanding that a fraction of a quantity is that fraction times the quantity.

Type: Problem-Solving Task