Class 3 Mixed Word Problems Worksheet PDF - Choose the Right Operation

Word Problems worksheet for Class 3 students - when to add, subtract, multiply, or divide with 16 word problems. Learn keyword identification, multi-step problem solving, and operation selection with complete solutions.

Solving Word Problems - Which Operation to Use?

How to Choose the Right Operation

Addition: Use when combining things, adding more, finding total, "altogether", "in all"

Subtraction: Use when taking away, finding difference, "how many left", "how many more"

Multiplication: Use when finding total of equal groups, "each", "times", repeated addition

Division: Use when sharing equally, making groups, splitting, "divide", "each group gets"

Tip: Look for keywords. Sometimes you need to use more than one operation!

Solved Example

Problem: Riya bought 3 packets of biscuits with 12 biscuits in each packet. She ate 8 biscuits. How many biscuits are left?

Solution:

Step 1: 3 × 12 = 36 biscuits (multiply to find total)

Step 2: 36 - 8 = 28 (subtract biscuits eaten)

Answer: 28 biscuits left

Keywords: "each packet" = multiply, "ate" = subtract

Sample Worksheet Problems

Rohan had 45 marbles. His friend gave him 32 more marbles. How many marbles does Rohan have now?

A shopkeeper has 7 boxes of chocolates. Each box has 8 chocolates. How many chocolates are there in total?

A school bus makes 12 trips every day. Each trip carries 28 students. How many students travel by bus in one day?

There are 36 students in Class 3A and 42 students in Class 3B. The school wants to divide all students equally into 6 groups for sports. How many students will be in each group?

A school organized a picnic. There are 8 buses and each bus can carry 45 students. If 324 students have already boarded the buses, how many more students can still get on the buses?

A fruit vendor had 245 apples. He sold 128 apples in the morning. In the afternoon, a customer bought 9 bags with 8 apples in each bag. How many apples does the vendor have left now?

Scoring Guide

14-16 correct: Excellent! You know when to use each operation. Try harder multi-step problems.

11-13 correct: Very Good! Review Part C questions. Practice identifying keywords: "each" = multiply, "left" = subtract, "total" = add, "equally" = divide.

7-10 correct: Good Start! Focus on: Underline keywords in questions, decide which operation first, write the calculation clearly.

Below 7: Keep Practicing! Review one operation at a time. Make a list of keywords for each operation. Practice simpler word problems first.

Pro Tips for Word Problems

Look for keywords: "Total/altogether" = add, "Left/remaining" = subtract, "Each/times" = multiply, "Share/divide" = divide

Underline important numbers and keywords in each question

For multi-step problems, solve one operation at a time

Draw pictures or diagrams to visualize the problem

Write down each step separately before solving

Check if your answer makes sense in the context of the problem