Numerical Math Problems with Solutions and Explanations

Elementary Level Numerical Problems

Your child's success in math depends greatly on his or her ability to use the four basic operations correctly. At the lower elementary level, your child will begin establishing his or her mathematical foundation, which will include composing and decomposing numbers. Later, your child will progress to adding and subtracting numbers within 1,000. In the upper elementary grades, your child should be increasing his or her fluency with addition and subtraction. Learning to multiply and divide with multi-digit whole numbers is also a major focus area of these grade levels.

Lower Elementary (K-2)

1. Complete the following number pattern: 10, --, --, 13, --, 15, --, --, --, 19, --, --, 22

Your child's completed number pattern should look like this: 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22.

2. 41 + 36 =

Your child should add: 41 + 36 = 77.

3. 70 - 50 =

To solve this, subtract: 70 - 50 = 20.

4. Mary began the day with $1.00. Then, she bought a lollipop for $0.50 and another piece of candy for $0.10. How much does she have left?

Your child may benefit from working with real money to solve this. Subtract 1.00 - 0.50 - 0.10 = 0.40. Mary has $0.40 left.

Upper Elementary (3-5)

1. 486 + 107 + 92 =

Your child should add: 486 + 107 + 92 = 685. It may be helpful for your child to place a '0' in front of the 92 to help align the addends correctly.

2. 3,155 ÷ 5 =

Your child should divide: 3,155 ÷ 5 = 631. You may want to remind your child to use the steps divide, multiply, subtract and bring down to complete the problem.

3. Fill in the missing blank: 9 ---- 3 = 3

This number sentence would be completed like this: 9 ÷ 3 = 3.

4. 43 ---- 8 = 35

Using the process of elimination, your child should fill in the blank for the number sentence to look like this: 43 - 8 = 35. Your child should reason that because the answer is smaller than the beginning number, the blank will not be filled with either an x or a +.

5. 34 x 12 =

Your child should multiply: 34 x 12 = 408. You may want to remind your child to put a zero, or 'place holder' when beginning the second row of multiplying.