third grade problem solving

35 math problems for 3 rd graders

In 3rd grade, students are introduced to important math concepts that become the building blocks for future mathematical learning. Let’s practice those concepts with this list of math problems for 3rd graders.

Author Katie Wickliff

Published September 25, 2023

• Key takeaways
• In 3rd grade math, students develop a deeper understanding of multiplication and division, fractions, and measurements.
• Word problems for 3rd graders require more advanced comprehension skills.
• Place Value: Understanding place value helps us read and write numbers correctly and compare their values.
• Look for opportunities for your child to practice their math at home–worksheets, math games , or a math practice app will help strengthen new mathematical knowledge. While consistency is key, math practice for 3rd graders should be engaging and fun.

Table of contents

• Subtraction
• Multiplication
• Measurement
• Multi-step word problems

Answer sheet

In addition to reviewing and strengthening the skills learned in previous years, 3rd graders learn multiplication and division, explore fractions, calculate measurements, and more. Also, word problems for 3rd graders are often multi-step, requiring students to understand what operations to perform and how to perform them correctly. 

This list of 3rd grade math problems is intended to reinforce concepts students have already been taught. The list is divided into sections: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, measurement, and multi-step problems. These sections allow students to specifically focus their practice, but feel free to skip around and choose the 3rd grade math practice problems that best suit your child’s needs. 

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Select a year group

• Kindergarten

Measurement and data

Sample questions, 35 third grade math problems, section 1: addition.

At the school carnival, Hattie won 25 tickets at ring toss and 40 tickets at balloon darts. How many tickets did she win altogether?

There are 15 baby chicks at the barn. 12 more chicks are born. How many baby chicks are at the barn now?

How can you represent the number line with an equation?

Using the number line, solve 7+ _ = 22

Amir practices basketball three days a week. On Tuesday, he practices basketball for 60 minutes. On Wednesday, he practices for 37 minutes. On Thursday, he practices for 15 minutes. Which expression shows how to find the total number of minutes Amir practiced? Circle the correct answer

Section 2: Subtraction

Using the number line, solve 17-6=

There are 224 Lions fans and 212 Tigers fans at the football game. How many more Lions fans than Tigers fans are at the game?

An animal shelter has 27 kittens available for adoption. On Friday, 8 kittens are adopted. How many kittens are left at the shelter?

Gemma has 130 beads for bracelets. She gives 75 beads to Piper and 6 beads to Claire. Which expression shows how to find the total number of beads Gemma has left? Circle the correct answer.

Using the number line, solve 30- _ = 14

Section 3: Multiplication

Using the picture below, write a multiplication equation to find the number of shapes

Francis and Jane are playing a card game. Francis has 7 cards. Jane has 3 times as many cards as Francis. How many cards does Jane have?

Using the number line to show hops, complete the multiplication sentence

Solve the equation

Mariela has 8 pages of math homework. There are 4 problems on each page. How many total problems does Mariela have for math homework?

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Section 4: Division

Connor has 80 crayons that he will put into crayon boxes. Each crayon box can hold 8 crayons. How many crayon boxes does he need?

Using the number line to show hops, complete the division sentence

Natalie divided 12 marbles into equal groups of 3. Draw a representation to show equal grouping.

Craig’s mom brought 12 cookies to the soccer game. She shared them equally among Craig and 3 teammates. Which expression will solve the problem correctly? Circle the answer.

Section 5: Fractions

Using the number line, work out what A, B and C represent.

Plot ¼ on this number line:

A cheese pizza has 8 slices. Marco ate 2 of the slices. His dad at the rest.  What fraction of the pizza did Marco eat? What fraction of the pizza did his dad eat?

There are 15 flowers in a garden. 10 flowers are yellow and the rest are red. What is the fraction of red flowers in the garden?

Using the number line, find the value of K and L. Which is bigger?

Section 6: Measurement

A school bus is 12 feet long and a car is 4 feet shorter than the bus. How long is the car?

John is 64 inches tall, Mabel is 59 inches tall, and Phoebe is 57 inches tall. How much taller is John than Phoebe?

Use the ruler provided to measure to the nearest ¼ inch:

Find the area of the square below

Find the perimeter of the rectangle below

Section 7: Multi-step word problems

Sarah has two $10 bills. Her sister has one $5 bill. They combine their money to buy a game that costs $22 dollars. How much change will they receive?

Dad baked 36 cookies for the bake sale. Jonas baked 24 cookies for the bake sale. His brother ate 5 cookies before the bake sale started. How many cookies do they have left to sell?

The school bus seats 75 students in all. On Friday, the school bus was full. At the first stop, 7 students got off. At the second stop, 15 students got off. How many children were left on the bus?

George has 25 water balloons. He wants to divide the water balloons equally between himself and 2 friends. How many water balloons will each get? Will there be any water balloons left over?

On Monday, 5 inches of snow fell. On Tuesday, 3 inches of snow fell. On Wednesday, 7 inches of snow fell. The school will have a snow day if it snows 21 inches or more. How many more inches would it have to snow for the school to have a snow day?

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Addition answers

25+40= 65. Hattie won 65 tickets

15+12= 27. 27 baby chicks are at the barn

7+ 15= 22. This should be represented by 15 “hops” on the number line

Subtraction answers

17-6=11. This should be represented by 11 “hops” on the number line

224-212= 12. There are 12 more Lions fans than Tiger fans

27-8= 19. There are 19 kittens left at the shelter.

Multiplication answers

2×3=6; 3×2=6

7×3=21. Jane has 21 cards.

8×4= 32

Division answers

40÷8= 5. It will take Max 5 days to pay Bennett.

Drawing should show 3 groups of 4 marbles each.

Fractions answers

The ¼ should be plotted on the point between 0 and ½

Marco ate 2/8 (or ¼) of the pizza. His dad ate 6/8 (or ¾) of the pizza

5/15 (or ⅓)

K= ⅜, L= 6/8 (or ¾). L is larger.

Measurement answers

12-4=8. The car is 8 feet long.

64-57=7. John is 7 inches taller than Phoebe

8×8=64. The area is 64 yd2

8+8+2+2=20 cm

Multi-step word answer answers

$10+$10= $20. 

$20+$5=$25.

$25-$22= $3

 Sarah and her sister will receive $3 in change

They have 55 cookies left to sell

53 students are left on the bus

George and his friends each get 6 water balloons, with one left over.

• 5 in+ 3 in+ 7 in= 15 in

21 in- 15 in= 6 in

It must snow 6 more inches to get a snow day. 

Lesson credits

Katie Wickliff

Katie holds a master’s degree in Education from the University of Colorado and a bachelor’s degree in both Journalism and English from The University of Iowa. She has over 15 years of education experience as a K-12 classroom teacher and Orton-Gillingham certified tutor. Most importantly, Katie is the mother of two elementary students, ages 8 and 11. She is passionate about math education and firmly believes that the right tools and support will help every student reach their full potential.

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3rd Grade Addition and Subtraction

Word problems.

Welcome to our 3rd Grade Addition and Subtraction Word Problems page. Here is our selection of free addition and subtraction word problem worksheets, which will help your child practice solving a range of addition and subtraction problems using 3-digit and 4-digit numbers.

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• 3 Digit Addition & Subtraction Word Problems
• 4 Digit Addition & Subtraction Word Problems
• 2-Step Addition & Subtraction Word Problems
• Easier Addition & Subtraction Worksheets
• More related resources
• Addition & Subtraction Word Problems up to 1000 Online Quiz

3-digit and 4-digit Word Problems

Each sheet consists of a range of 5 addition and subtraction word problems with numbers up to thousands.

There is a space on each sheet for working out, so that your child can write out the problem and solve it.

We have split the worksheets up into 3-digit word problems and 4-digit word problems.

Using these sheets will help your child to:

• add and subtract numbers with 3-digit and 4-digit numbers;
• solve addition and subtraction word problems with and without regrouping.
• recognise the language used in addition and subtraction - sum, total, difference, how many more, etc.
• solve problems involving more than 1 step.

3rd Grade Addition and Subtraction Word Problems

3-digit addition and subtraction word problems.

There are two versions of each sheet.

The first version (version A) contains problems where no regrouping is needed.

The second version (version B) contains similar problems but regrouping is needed to solve them.

Answers have been provided with each sheet, along with the calculation needed to solve the problem.

The following sheets are all 1-step addition or subtraction word problems.

• 3-Digit Addition and Subtraction Word Problems Sheet 1A (no regrouping)
• PDF version
• 3-Digit Addition and Subtraction Word Problems Sheet 1B
• 3-Digit Addition and Subtraction Word Problems Sheet 2A (no regrouping)
• 3-Digit Addition and Subtraction Word Problems Sheet 2B

4-digit Addition and Subtraction Word Problems

The word problems all involve either addition or subtraction (both with and without regrouping).

• 4-Digit Addition and Subtraction Word Problems Sheet 1
• 4-Digit Addition and Subtraction Word Problems Sheet 2

Harder 2-Step Addition and Subtraction Word Problems

These problems are trickier than those above.

Each problem involved two steps to solve, and may involve just addition, just subtraction or both operators.

There are 4 problems on each sheet, and more space to work out the solutions.

• 2-Step Addition Subtraction Problems up to 3-digits Sheet 1
• 2-Step Addition Subtraction Problems up to 4-digits Sheet 1

Looking for some easier worksheets?

Take a look at our Subtraction word problems for first graders.

On this page, your child will learn to work out basic subtraction word problems with numbers to 20.

• 2nd Grade Addition and Subtraction Word Problems (up to 100)

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More 3rd Grade Addition and Subtraction Worksheets

Here you will find some more of our Addition and Subtraction Worksheet generators for creating your own bespoke addition and subtraction worksheets.

• Addition Subtraction Fact Worksheets (randomly generated)
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More 3rd Grade Math Word Problems

Using the 3rd Grade Math worksheets will help your child to:

• apply their addition, subtraction, and multiplication skills;
• develop their knowledge of fractions;
• apply their knowledge of rounding and place value;
• solve a range of 'real life' problems.

These sheets involve solving one or two more challenging longer problems.

• 3rd Grade Math Problems

These sheets involve solving many 'real-life' problems involving data.

• Math Word Problems for kids 3rd Grade

These sheets involve solving 3-digit and 4-digit addition word problems.

• Addition Word Problems 3rd Grade (3- and 4-digits)

These sheets involve solving 3-digit and 4-digit subtraction problems.

• Subtraction Word Problems 3rd Grade

These sheets involve solving a range of multiplciation problems.

• Multiplication Word Problem Worksheets 3rd Grade

These sheets involve solving a range of division problems.

• Division Worksheets Grade 3 Word Problems

Addition and Subtraction Word Problems to 1000 Online Quiz

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Math Word Problem Worksheets for 3rd Graders

Third graders will be challenged with single-step and two-step word problems. They will need to use basic multiplication for some problems along with thinking and addition or substraction skills. Taking real life situations kids will need to find solutions that make sense. The beauty of these questions is that multiple choices are not provided so kids will need to show not only the answer but how they thought through the word problem to arrive at a solution.

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Third Grade Problem-Solving Activities and Exercises

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It's important for kids to learn problem-solving skills because they'll use them in various school subjects, as well as in life in general. Keep reading for sample activities and exercises that you and your child can do at home to improve his or her problem-solving skills.

What Types of Activities Promote Third Grade Problem-Solving Skills?

Giving your child genuine problems to solve can help him or her to see how schoolwork applies to real life. For example, if you're planning a party, you might have your child use his newly developed skills in multiplication and division to figure out the logistics, such as how many tables and chairs will be needed, based on the number of anticipated guests.

Your child also can apply his or her third-grade math skills during everyday events, like visiting the grocery store. While shopping, you can have your child calculate the price of the items you're purchasing to determine if you're staying within a budget. For instance, would it bust your $18 budget if you bought five boxes of cereal that were priced at $4 a box? Your child could practice his or her multiplication skills by determining that $4 x 5 = $20 and then his or her problem-solving skills by noting that this would, indeed, put you over budget.

Additionally, you might challenge your child to complete fun experiments. For example, you could work with your child to design a container that will protect an egg that's dropping from the top of your house. Your child will have to use creative thinking in order to create a safe container.

Problem-Solving Exercises and Solutions

1. A room has an area of 400 feet. What are some possible dimensions for this room?

2. Ken has to be at work by 8:30 am. His office is 30 minutes away, and he wants to stop for coffee, which typically takes 10 minutes. What time should Ken leave his house in the morning?

3. There are too many guests at Karla's party. There are 44 people present, but Karla only has 22 pieces of cake. How can Karla give each of her guests a piece of cake?

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Unit 3: Addition, subtraction, and estimation

About this unit.

The world of math is full of twists and turns but luckily, this unit on addition, subtraction, and estimation is here to help you navigate. Whether it's mastering the art of rounding or learning how to regroup, Khan Academy is your secret weapon for success.

Rounding to nearest 10 or 100

• Rounding to the nearest 10 on the number line (Opens a modal)
• Rounding to the nearest 100 on the number line (Opens a modal)
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• Round to nearest 10 or 100 on the number line Get 5 of 7 questions to level up!
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• Round to nearest 10 or 100 challenge Get 3 of 4 questions to level up!

Estimate to add multi-digit numbers

• Estimating when adding multi-digit numbers (Opens a modal)
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Strategies for adding two and three-digit numbers

• Breaking apart 3-digit addition problems (Opens a modal)
• Addition using groups of 10 and 100 (Opens a modal)
• Adding and subtracting on number line (Opens a modal)
• Break apart 3-digit addition problems Get 3 of 4 questions to level up!
• Add using groups of 10 and 100 Get 3 of 4 questions to level up!
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• Select strategies for adding within 1000 Get 3 of 4 questions to level up!

Adding with regrouping within 1000

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Strategies for subtracting two and three-digit numbers

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Subtracting with regrouping within 1000

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Addition and subtraction missing value problems

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Addition and subtraction word problems

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25 Fast and Fun Third Grade STEM Challenges Every Kid Will Love

Creative problem-solving at its best!

Have you tried STEM challenges with your students yet? They offer students such a fun hands-on way to build their problem-solving skills! These third grade STEM challenges inspire kids to think outside the box and put all their knowledge into practical use.

We also love the fact that they couldn’t be easier to set up. Post one of these third grade STEM challenges on your whiteboard or projector screen, pass out the few simple supplies, and watch the magic begin! 

Want this entire set of STEM challenges in one easy document? Get your free PowerPoint bundle of these third grade STEM challenges by submitting your email here, so you’ll always have the challenges available.

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25 Third Grade STEM Challenges

Design and build a paper airplane that flies the furthest possible distance..

Use 20 paper plates to build the tallest tower you can. You can use scissors, but no tape or glue.

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Use LEGO bricks to build a marble maze.

Build a 12-inch bridge from index cards, plastic straws, and masking tape that will hold 100 pennies.

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Construct a building using sticks, leaves, and other items you can pick up outside.

Use newspaper and masking tape to build a cage to hold a stuffed animal.

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Use plastic straws and Scotch tape to build a roller coaster for a ping pong ball.

Invent a new game using a cardboard box and other supplies of your choice.

Build the tallest possible tower that can support the weight of a book from 10 plastic cups and 10 index cards.

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Use plastic spoons and rubber bands to build a device that launches a marshmallow as far as possible.

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Design and build a floating houseboat using index cards, plastic straws, and tape or glue.

Use uncooked spaghetti and mini marshmallows to build an animal (real or imaginary).

Build a domino chain reaction that includes at least one domino tower.

• Lewo 1000 Pcs Wood Dominoes Set

Use one sheet of paper and masking tape to build a pencil box with a lid and a carrying handle. It must hold six pencils.

Use pipe cleaners to create at least 6 types of 3-D shapes.

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Using only newspaper, build a paper chain at least 12 inches long that will hold the weight of a bucket of water.

Create a new kind of tree using cardboard tubes, masking tape, and construction paper. Be ready to explain where and how your tree grows.

Find a new use for a plastic shopping bag. You can also use scissors and 12 inches of masking tape.

In five minutes, build the tallest tower you can using only pipe cleaners.

Find a way to make a ping pong ball roll down a cardboard ramp as slowly as possible.

Use newspapers and masking tape to build a tent your whole group could camp out in overnight.

Build an igloo using toothpicks and marshmallows.

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Design a new kind of plant using aluminum foil.

Use one index card and other supplies of your choice to design a scoop to pick up as much rice at one time as possible.

Use duct tape to design a new kind of water bottle carrier.

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26 Whole ClassMath Games: Adaptable For All Students

Samantha Dock

Whole class math games are becoming progressively more popular among educators and students as a strategy to increase learner engagement and comprehension. This approach transforms traditional math lessons into interactive and immersive learning experiences. 

In this article, we list 26 of the best math teacher-approved whole class math games for you to try with your students today.

What are whole class math games? 

Whole class math games are a way to leverage gamification, such as challenges, levels, and points, to motivate and engage all learners in math in a fun way. Whole class math games should be student-centered learning and accessible to all students and be flexible to include all learner abilities and additional needs. 

Through fun math games, teachers can motivate and inspire students to work collaboratively, to solidify their understanding of key math concepts and to have fun during math class.

26 Whole Class Math Games

Play these 26 fun and engaging math games with your pre-kindergarten to 8th grade students.

Benefits of whole class math games

By using whole class math games strategically, they can be an effective learning strategy . The benefits of whole class math games include:

• Intrinsic motivation: Games can provide intrinsic motivation by offering immediate feedback, rewards, and a sense of accomplishment.
• Reinforce math content: Games naturally encourage repeated practice and exploration. Learners are more likely to continue practicing and retaining what they have learned over time by embedding math concepts within engaging game contexts. 
• Personalize learning and feedback: Gamification facilitates a tailored learning experience where students can progress at their own pace and receive individualized feedback, addressing their unique learning needs and preferences.
• Promote perseverance: Students are motivated to persevere with challenging mathematical problems.
• Promote problem-solving , strategic thinking and critical reasoning
• Foster collaboration: Games encourage students to work together, discuss strategies and learn from one another.
• Math can be fun: Games can help to reduce math anxiety by presenting math in an accessible way in a low-stakes environment. 

26 whole class math games to engage all students

Here, we’ve listed 26 whole class math games including mental math games , multiplication games and more:

6 No prep whole class math games

1. clap and count.

This is a great no prep and quick whole class math game to get students engaged and moving! 

Grade level: PreK-3

How to play: The math teacher or selected student picks a number and says it aloud or writes it on the whiteboard. The class is then expected to clap and count up to that number. This game helps students practice their number sense.

Ideas to adapt: You can adapt this to include exercising, as well! (Example: the number 5 is selected, so students have to do 5 push ups).

This game can be used to count in varying increments e.g. 2s, 5s, 10s. 

Another quick, no-prep whole class math game that gets students to collaborate and strategize! This is a great game to play if you have a few extra minutes at the end of class or the students need a brain break.

Grade level: Grades 3-8

How to play: In this game, have students count to the number 21. If two or more students say the same number, start over from 1. The same student cannot say two numbers in a row. 

Ideas to adapt: You can change the number higher or lower depending on the number of students in your class or have students close their eyes to make it more challenging!

3. Mystery Number

This activity reinforces math fluency and vocabulary. This can be a whole class math game or have students buddy up.

Grade level: Grades 1-4

How to play: One person in the group thinks of a number and gives the other person hints about what the number is. For example, a hint can be, “The number is bigger than 3, but less than 17.”

Ideas to adapt: You can have students write down their number on a mini dry erase board or their notebook so they do not forget it.

War is a simple yet effective card game to get students to compare two quantities.

Grade level: Grades 1-8

How to play: Typically, this game is played with a deck of cards that is split into two even piles. The cards are face down and students pick the top card to compare with their partner. The person with the higher card value gets to keep both cards. If the two cards have the same value, the students place 3 cards face down and flip over the fourth one. The student with the higher value card gets to keep all of the cards. In order to win the game, students must collect all of the cards in the pile.

Ideas to adapt: This game is easily adaptable to each grade level. You can make and print out cards with the concept that you are learning. For example, you can create 52 cards with integers on them, or fractions and decimals.

Another no-prep card game to quickly engage students and get them practicing number bonds and math fluency. 24 lays the groundwork for computational thinking.

Grade level: Grades 1-9

How to play: In 24, students are in groups of 2-4 and are asked to make the number 24 using all four numbers on the card and any operation. The student who can make the number 24 first wins the cards. The student with the most cards at the end wins.

6. Dominoes

There are so many variations of dominoes that you can use with your students! 

How to play: One way to play is to have all the dominoes flipped over and each student picks a domino, writes down each side as an addend and adds them together. You can also use the domino to create addition fact families to help with fluency in numbers and operations, categorizing them into even and odd numbers, or sorting them by the sum.

Another way to adapt dominoes is to lay them down so that you have a row that adds up to 10. To begin with, the dominoes are face down. Each player takes turns picking up a tile and making a new row or putting it at the end of a row to make 10. In this game, the student with the most rows of 10 at the end wins. This helps to support students’ conceptual and computational growth. 

Ideas to adapt: Creating magic squares is another way to use dominoes to engage students in learning and enhance their math fact fluency.

9 Whole class math games for any grade

7. jeopardy.

Grade level: Grades K-8

Jeopardy is a classic game that teachers typically use as a unit review.

How to play: Students are split up into 4 teams and must answer the questions on the board. The questions are separated into 5 categories and given a dollar amount. The higher the dollar amount, the more difficult the question is. The group with the highest dollar amount at the end of the game wins.

This is a great game that can be played in person or virtually.

How to play: Give students a blank BINGO board and have all the potential answers on the front board. Ask students to write down the answers on their board wherever they want. Make sure they know to write down each answer only once. 

Once all BINGO boards have been created, pick a question for the students to answer. You can create a PowerPoint with all the questions on separate slides and ask students to pick a number. When you click on that number the question will be presented to the students to answer. Students will mark off the answer on their BINGO cards and the first student to get 5 in a row wins!

9. Trashketball

Trashketball is another engaging review game.

How to play: This game works best if there are about 6 single-sided pages printed in a packet for each student to complete. Students work on the first page, check their answers with the teacher, and if they get all their answers correct, they can crumble their piece of paper into a ball and stand at the 2 or 3 point line to attempt a basket. You can use the recycling can on top of a desk as the basket and put tape on the ground to mark off where the 2 and 3 point lines are. The student with the most points at the end of class wins.

Ideas to adapt: If a student has an incorrect answer, you can tell them which question was wrong or tell them, “2 problems on this page are incorrect.” This allows them to conduct error analysis on their own work.

10. Scavenger hunt

Many premade scavenger hunt worksheets can be found online. You can also create your own and adapt it to be for whatever your class is learning at that time!

How to play: For this, students will need paper or a recording sheet to show their work, a pencil, and a clipboard. You will need to hang up the question/answer pages around the room. On these pages, the top half should have the answer to the previous problem and the bottom half should have the next question to be answered. The goal is to have students practice as many questions as possible to review the material.

This whole class math game is similar to the scavenger hunt.

How to play: Question pages should be posted around the room and students will need a recording sheet, pencil, and clipboard to lean on. Students are given a set amount of time to work on the page in front of them (for example, students have 30 seconds to simplify the algebraic expression). After 30 seconds, the math teacher will say “scoot” and students will shift to the next question page, have 30 seconds to complete the problem before moving on to the next one. The goal is to have students practice fast math facts and fluency.

12. Whodunit

A “Whodunit” activity is a mystery-solving game where participants work together to uncover clues, solve puzzles, and ultimately identify the culprit behind a fictional crime. This activity does involve a lot of set up but is a great way to get students to buy into the material and actively participate in their learning experience.

How to play: Small groups will work together to solve math problems and be rewarded with clues to identify the culprit. You can find many pre-made downloadable options online to reduce planning time.

13. Relay race

Grade level: Grades K-8 

Playing a relay race in math can be a fun and engaging way to review concepts or practice mathematical skills. 

How to play: Divide the class into equal size teams and set up stations. Students will take turns sending one team member at a time to the task station which could include solving equations, completing math puzzles, answering word problems, or performing mental math calculations. 

After the race, gather the students to review the tasks and discuss any challenges or interesting strategies used during the relay. You can also review the correct answers to the math problems to ensure understanding.

14. Quiz, quiz, trade

“Quiz, Quiz, Trade” is a cooperative learning strategy that promotes formative assessment , active engagement and peer-to-peer teaching. It’s particularly effective for reviewing math concepts in a fun and interactive way. 

How to play: Prepare a set of question cards related to the math concepts you want to review. Each student should have a card and each card should have a math problem or a question on one side and the answer on the other. Arrange students into pairs or small groups around the room and distribute one question card to each student, ensuring each student has a different question.

Then have students hold their cards up with the question side facing out. Each student quizzes their partner with the question on their card. They can read the question aloud or show it to their partner. The partner tries to answer the question without looking at the back of the card. If they answer correctly, they receive praise and encouragement from their partner. 

After both partners have quizzed each other, they trade cards, find a new partner, and repeat the process. “Quiz, Quiz, Trade” effectively reviews math concepts while promoting active engagement, collaboration, and peer teaching among students. It’s adaptable to various grade levels and can be customized to focus on specific math topics or skills.

15. Escape room

Creating an educational escape room in math is a fantastic way to engage students in problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration while reinforcing mathematical concepts. 

How to play: There are many escape rooms online for teachers to use. Breakoutedu is a great resource to build physical escape rooms to review mathematical concepts or assign virtual escape rooms for students to complete as a class, with a small group or partner, or individually.

5 Number sense and operations whole class math games

16. human number line.

Grade level: Grades K-7

A human number line activity is an interactive and kinesthetic way to teach or reinforce concepts related to numbers, number sense, and mathematical operations. 

How to play: In this activity, students physically represent numbers along a designated line or axis, allowing them to visualize numerical relationships and engage in hands-on learning.

17. Guess who

Playing “Guess Who?” in math creatively reinforces mathematical concepts such as properties, characteristics, or attributes of numbers, shapes, or other mathematical objects. 

How to play: Create or print out game boards featuring various mathematical objects or concepts. For example, you could have boards with numbers, geometric shapes, mathematical operations, or math-related images. 

Players engage in critical thinking as they analyze mathematical properties and make educated guesses based on the information they gather. Also, players practice using mathematical vocabulary and describing mathematical properties in a clear and concise manner. The game promotes active engagement and participation as players interact with each other and work towards solving the mystery.

18. 4 in a row

Ideal for intervention groups or students developing fluency in adding 9, 10, or 11 and place value. Suitable for math workshops or stations to enhance fluency. 

How to play: In this game, pairs of students share one game board. Laminate the board or use a photocopy with counters or markers. The first player rolls a die and adds 10 (or 11 or 9!) to cover a spot. The next student rolls the die and adds 10 (or 11 or 9). The goal is to achieve 4 in a row strategically, considering available numbers.

Ideas to adapt: You can use base 10 blocks or other “hands on” manipulatives to show students how adding 10 impacts the tens place and adding 11 impacts both the tens and the ones. Adding 9 is tricky for some students, so you can show them by adding 10 and then taking away one cube.

Grade level: Grades 5-8

Nerdle is a daily math puzzle inspired by The New York Times’ word puzzle, Wordle. Nerdle challenges players to guess a randomly selected calculation within six attempts. 

How to play: After each guess, players receive feedback on the tiles: green for correct tiles in the correct position, yellow for correct tiles in the wrong position, and gray for incorrect tiles. 

Players refine their guesses using this feedback, aiming to correctly guess the calculation or exhaust their attempts within the allotted six tries. Nerdle offers a fun and intellectually stimulating way to exercise math and deduction skills while enjoying a guessing challenge.

20. Equation Scrabble

Equation Scrabble is a versatile math-centered game for 1-4 players to sharpen math facts and number sense, or delve into specific skills like fractions, decimals, large numbers, negatives, variables, and exponents. 

How to play: Similar to Scrabble but with numbers and variables, students form addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division equations, earning points based on the complexity of their equations. You can find printable versions online, or make your own.

Ideas to adapt: Adjust the game by removing pieces to tailor it to focus on a single operation or skill, offering a flexible and engaging math activity for diverse learning needs.

2 Mental math and problem-solving whole class math games

21. multiplication baseball.

Grade level: Grades 3-4

Multiplication baseball infuses the excitement of baseball with multiplication practice. 

How to play: Players form two teams, one batting and the other fielding. The batting team’s players take turns answering multiplication flashcards to advance around the bases, scoring runs for correct answers and accumulating outs for incorrect ones. 

This game not only sharpens multiplication fluency and mental math skills but also fosters strategic thinking and teamwork as players strategize to score runs and defend against the opposing team. It’s a dynamic way to reinforce multiplication skills while enjoying the spirit of competition on the “field.”

22. Hamburger dice game

Grade level: Grades 4-9

In this engaging activity, students utilize problem-solving strategies and mental math skills as they collaborate to construct a hamburger. 

How to play: Working in small groups or pairs, students are equipped with three dice and a burger building sheet. Taking turns, they roll the dice and creatively manipulate the numbers rolled to match the desired ingredients for their burgers. 

However, there’s a twist—the burger assembly must commence with the bottom bun equivalent to 12 and conclude with the top bun equivalent to 10, allowing flexibility in arranging the toppings between. The objective is clear: the first student to successfully assemble their burger according to the given criteria emerges as the winner, blending mathematical thinking with culinary creativity in a fun and competitive manner.

4 Geometry and measurement whole class math games

The ideas below include different fun math activities suited to geometry and measurement. These are not games in themselves but when presented with an element of competition, the activities below can leverage gamification to engage and inspire students.

23. Pattern blocks

Grade level: Grades K-5

Pattern blocks are versatile mathematical manipulatives that students can use to explore various mathematical concepts and develop important skills. These colorful blocks, typically available in shapes such as triangles, squares, rhombuses, trapezoids, and hexagons, allow students to engage in hands-on learning experiences. 

Students can use pattern blocks to develop spatial reasoning by exploring geometric relationships, identifying shapes, and creating patterns and designs. They also support the development of mathematical concepts such as symmetry, congruence, fractions, and area. 

How to play: Through activities involving sorting, classifying, composing, decomposing, and transforming shapes, students enhance their understanding of geometry, spatial visualization, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. Pattern blocks provide a tangible and interactive way for students to deepen their mathematical understanding and foster a love for learning in mathematics.

24. Stained glass window activity

Grade level: Grades 7-9

This activity encourages students to tap into their artistic side while practicing their understanding of graphing linear equations. 

How to play: Students will create a stained glass window by graphing linear equations.

Teachers will need to distribute coordinate planes or graph paper, provide pupils with the linear equations, have students graph them and add color and outlines to their designs with colored pencils and Sharpies. 

Ideas to adapt: You can provide equations already in slope-intercept form and or where students need to solve for y before graphing. 

25. Geoboards

Geoboards are hands-on mathematical tools comprising a board with pegs arranged in a grid pattern, allowing students to stretch rubber bands to create shapes and patterns. 

How to play: With geoboards, students delve into various mathematical concepts, from geometry to fractions and measurement. They explore geometric shapes, angles, symmetry, and spatial relationships while enhancing spatial reasoning skills. 

Additionally, geoboards facilitate understanding of fractions by partitioning shapes and practicing measurement through area and perimeter calculations. Moreover, students engage in problem-solving activities and unleash their creativity as they design geometric patterns and solve puzzles, making geoboards versatile tools for interactive and exploratory learning in mathematics.

26. Use LEGO bricks

Grade level: Grades 3-5

Students can use LEGO bricks to enhance their understanding of math and use them similarly to base ten blocks .

How to play: By building structures with LEGO bricks, students can explore concepts such as halves, thirds, fourths, and more by partitioning bricks into equal parts. They can create models where different colored bricks represent different fractions, allowing them to see and compare fractional relationships. 

Additionally, students can use LEGO bricks to perform operations with fractions, such as adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing, by combining or separating brick groups. This hands-on approach with LEGO bricks provides a concrete and tangible way for students to grasp abstract fraction concepts, fostering deeper comprehension and retention.

Teaching tips for effective whole class math games

Implementing whole classroom math games presents various challenges, necessitating careful lesson plans and delivery. Below are 7 teaching tips for effective whole class math games:

• Give clear directions: this is crucial to ensure students understand the game rules and objectives.
• Use grouping effectively: this will promote collaboration and engagement. 
• Incorporate grade-level appropriate math problems : this maintains relevance and fosters learning. 
• Diversify game formats, including board games, card games , and digital games: this will accommodate different learning preferences and enhance student interest. 
• Ensure equal participation: teachers will need to monitor carefully to involve all students actively.
• Assess and monitor progress: this enables teachers to tailor instruction and provide timely feedback, reinforcing learning. 
• Consider cognitive load theory : Reduce the complexity of tasks and optimize students’ cognitive resources for effective learning. If the game is too complicated, students may be unable to effectively solidify math concepts.

Successful implementation of whole class math games hinges on addressing these challenges through strategic planning, differentiated instruction, and ongoing support for student engagement and learning.

The array of whole class math games presented in this article reflects the growing trend of gamification in education, offering educators valuable tools to enhance student engagement and comprehension. 

By infusing traditional lessons with interactive elements such as competition, rewards, and collaboration, whole class math games motivate students while reinforcing mathematical concepts. We hope you found inspiration for your classroom, regardless of the grade level or math ability of your students.

Looking for more math games for your classroom?

• Math games for 2nd grade  
• Math games for 3rd grade
• Math games for 4th grade  
• Math games for 5th grade
• Math games for 6th grade
• Math games for 7th grade 
• Math games for 8th grade

Whole class math games FAQ

Some examples of whole classroom math games include Jeopardy, BINGO, relay races, trashketball, and a scavenger hunt.

Three quick whole classroom math games could be clap and count, 21, or mystery number.

Almost any whole class math game can be adapted for each grade level. Some popular games among middle schoolers are Jeopardy, trashketball, scavenger hunt, and escape room.

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50 Math Problems for a Third Grader: Solutions Included

Ever wondered how to make math more fun for a third grader? We’ve got the answer! In this article, we’ll explore 50 engaging math problems tailored specifically for third graders, along with their solutions. From simple addition to tricky mixed operations, we’ll tackle them all, step by step. Join us as we unravel math mysteries and empower young minds to become confident problem solvers. Let’s turn math into a delightful adventure where every challenge conquered brings a sense of accomplishment!

Wukong Math provides various types of math problems for third graders , including math problem worksheets and detailed video solutions to math problems . There are many free resources that parents can download for your children.

Addition problems help third graders understand how to combine numbers to find the total sum. These exercises build a foundation for more complex math operations.

1. Mary has 14 apples, and she buys 8 more. How many apples does she have now?

Analysis: Combining the two amounts gives the total number of apples Mary has.   

Solution: 14 + 8 = 22

2. There are 27 students in a class. If 15 more students join, how many students are there in total?

Analysis: Adding the new students to the existing ones gives the total number of students.   

Solution: 27 + 15 = 42

3. Timmy has 35 marbles, and he finds 11 more on the playground. How many marbles does he have in all?

Analysis: The sum of Timmy’s original and newly found marbles gives the total count.   

Solution: 35 + 11 = 46

Subtraction:

Subtraction problems teach children how to find the difference between numbers, which is essential for understanding how to decrease quantities.

4. Sarah had 48 stickers. She gave 15 to her friend. How many stickers does she have left?

Analysis: Subtracting the given stickers from the original amount shows how many Sarah has left. 

Solution: 48 – 15 = 33

5. The library has 63 books. If 28 books are borrowed, how many books remain?

Analysis: The difference between the original and borrowed books indicates the remaining number.

Solution: 63 – 28 = 35

6. Tommy had 77 toy cars. He sold 19 of them. How many toy cars does he have now?

Analysis: Subtracting the sold cars from Tommy’s collection shows the number left.   

Solution: 77 – 19 = 58

Multiplication:

Multiplication problems help students learn to find the total number of items when they are arranged in groups, an essential skill for more advanced math.

7. There are 8 boxes, and each box contains 6 apples. How many apples are there in total?

Analysis: Multiplying the number of boxes by the number of apples per box gives the total count.

Solution: 8 x 6 = 48

8. Lucy wants to buy 4 packs of pencils, with 9 pencils in each pack. How many pencils does she need?

Analysis: Multiplying the number of packs by the number of pencils in each shows the total pencils needed.

Solution: 4 x 9 = 36

9. If there are 5 shelves in a cupboard, and each shelf holds 7 books, how many books can the cupboard hold?

Analysis: The product of the number of shelves and books per shelf gives the total number of books.

Solution: 5 x 7 = 35

Division problems help children understand how to split a number into equal parts, which is important for sharing and grouping.

10. There are 45 cookies that must be distributed equally among 9 children. How many cookies will each child get?

Analysis: Dividing the total number of cookies by the number of children shows how many each child gets.    

Solution: 45 ÷ 9 = 5

11. A farmer has 56 apples. He wants to pack them into bags, with 8 apples in each bag. How many bags can he fill?

Analysis: Dividing the apples by the number of apples per bag gives the number of bags needed.

Solution: 56 ÷ 8 = 7

12. If there are 63 candies to be shared equally among 7 friends, how many candies will each friend get?

Analysis: The total number of candies divided by the number of friends shows how many each friend gets.

Solution: 63 ÷ 7 = 9

Fractions introduce students to the concept of parts of a whole, helping them understand how quantities can be divided and compared.

13. If a pizza is cut into 8 equal slices and 5 slices are eaten, what fraction of the pizza remains?

Analysis: Subtracting the eaten slices from the total gives the remaining fraction of the pizza.

Solution: 3/8

14. Mary has 3/4 of a chocolate bar. If she eats 1/4 of it, how much is left?

Analysis: Subtracting the eaten portion from the total shows the remaining chocolate.

Solution: 2/4 or 1/2

15. If there are 20 marbles, and 1/5 of them are blue, how many marbles are blue?

Analysis: The number of blue marbles is obtained by multiplying the total number of marbles by the fraction that are blue.

Solution: 4 marbles

Multi-step Word Problems:

Multi-step word problems require students to use more than one operation, promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

16. There are 24 cupcakes. If 10 cupcakes are eaten and 6 more are added, how many cupcakes are there in total now?

Analysis: Subtracting the eaten cupcakes and then adding the new ones gives the total remaining.

Solution: (24 – 10) + 6 = 20 + 6 = 26

17. John has 35 trading cards. He gives away 15 cards and then receives 12 more. How many cards does he have now?

Analysis: Subtracting the given cards and adding the received ones shows the current total.

Solution: (35 – 15) + 12 = 20 + 12 = 32

18. There are 50 candies in a jar. If 18 candies are removed and 7 more are added, how many candies are left?

Analysis: Subtracting the removed candies and then adding the new ones gives the remaining count.

Solution: (50 – 18) + 7 = 32 + 7 = 39

Measurement:

Measurement problems teach students how to calculate length, volume, and weight, which are practical skills for everyday life.

19. A pencil is 7 inches long. How long are 5 pencils altogether?

Analysis: Multiplying the length of one pencil by the number of pencils gives the total length.

Solution: 7 x 5 = 35 inches

20. There are 12 months in a year. How many months are there in 3 years?

Analysis: Multiplying the number of months in a year by the number of years gives the total months.

Solution: 12 x 3 = 36 months

21. If a ruler is 12 inches long, how many inches long are 6 rulers?

Analysis: Multiplying the length of one ruler by the number of rulers gives the total length.

Solution: 12 x 6 = 72 inches

Money problems help students learn how to handle currency, make purchases, and calculate change, which are essential life skills.

22. Jack has 5 quarters and 3 dimes. How much money does he have in total?

Analysis: Multiplying the number of each coin by its value and then adding them gives the total amount of money.

Solution: (5 x $0.25) + (3 x $0.10) = $1.25 + $0.30 = $1.55

23. Jenny wants to buy 4 toys, each costing $8. How much does she need in total?

Analysis: Multiplying the cost of one toy by the number of toys gives the total cost.

Solution: 4 x $8 = $32

24. If a pack of pencils costs $2 and Mary has $10, how many packs can she buy?

Analysis: Dividing the total money by the cost of one pack gives the number of packs Mary can buy.

Solution: $10 ÷ $2 = 5 packs

Time problems help students understand how to read clocks, calculate elapsed time, and manage their daily schedules.

25. If John wakes up at 6:30 AM and takes 25 minutes to get ready, what time will he be ready?

Analysis: Adding the preparation time to the wake-up time gives the time he will be ready.

Solution: 6:30 AM + 25 minutes = 6:55 AM

26. A movie starts at 4:15 PM and lasts for 1 hour and 45 minutes. What time does the movie end?

Analysis: Adding the movie duration to the start time gives the ending time.

Solution: 4:15 PM + 1 hour 45 minutes = 6:00 PM

27. Sarah starts reading at 7:45 PM and reads for 30 minutes. What time does she finish reading?

Analysis: Adding the reading time to the start time gives the finishing time.

Solution: 7:45 PM + 30 minutes = 8:15 PM

Geometry problems introduce students to shapes, sizes, and the properties of space, laying the groundwork for more advanced topics in mathematics.

28. A rectangle has a length of 8 units and a width of 5 units. What is its perimeter?

Analysis: Calculating the sum of the lengths and widths, then multiplying by 2 gives the perimeter.

Solution: 2 x (8 + 5) = 2 x 13 = 26 units

29. If a square has a side length of 6 inches, what is its area?

Analysis: Multiplying the side length by itself gives the area.

Solution: 6 x 6 = 36 square inches

30. What is the circumference of a circle with a diameter of 10 centimeters? (Use π ≈ 3.14)

Analysis: Multiplying the diameter by π gives the circumference.

Solution: π x 10 = 3.14 x 10 ≈ 31.4 centimeters

Pattern problems help students recognize and predict sequences, an important skill for developing logical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

31. Find the next number in the sequence: 5, 10, 15, 20, …

Analysis: Adding the common difference to the last number gives the next number in the sequence.

Solution: 25 (Adding 5 to each number)

32. What comes next in the pattern: A, C, E, G, …

Analysis: Continuing the pattern of skipping one letter each time gives the next letter.

Solution: I (Skipping one letter in the alphabet)

33. Fill in the missing number in the pattern: 2, 4, 8, 16, …

Analysis: Multiplying the last number by 2 gives the next number in the sequence.

Solution: 32 (Multiplying each number by 2)

Logical Reasoning:

Logical reasoning problems help students develop critical thinking skills by analyzing situations and making reasoned conclusions.

34. If all dogs have tails, and Rover is a dog, does Rover have a tail? (Yes/No)

Analysis: Based on the premise, Rover being a dog means he must have a tail.

Solution: Yes

35. There are 7 red apples and 5 green apples. Which color of apples is greater in number?

Analysis: Comparing the quantities shows that there are more red apples than green apples.

Solution: Red apples

36. If 4 + 3 = 7, what is the missing number in 6 + ? = 12?

Analysis: Subtracting the known number from the total gives the missing number.

Solution: 6 + 6 = 12

Problem-solving:

Problem-solving exercises teach students how to approach and solve various types of mathematical challenges, enhancing their overall math skills.

37. Peter has 24 stickers. He wants to divide them equally among his 4 friends. How many stickers will each friend get?

Analysis: Dividing the total stickers by the number of friends shows how many each gets.

Solution: 24 ÷ 4 = 6

38. There are 36 students going on a field trip, and they need to be divided into equal groups for transportation. If each bus can carry 12 students, how many buses are needed?

Analysis: Dividing the total students by the bus capacity shows the number of buses needed.

Solution: 36 ÷ 12 = 3 buses

39. A box contains 48 chocolates. How many smaller boxes are needed if they are packed into smaller boxes with 6 chocolates in each?

Analysis: Dividing the total chocolates by the number per smaller box gives the number of smaller boxes needed. 

Solution: 48 ÷ 6 = 8 boxes

40. There are 25 balloons at a party. How many balloons will each table get if they are to be distributed equally among 5 tables?

Analysis: Dividing the total balloons by the number of tables shows how many each table gets.

Solution: 25 ÷ 5 = 5 balloons per table

41. Lisa has 36 crayons. She wants to share them equally among 9 friends. How many crayons will each friend get?

Analysis: Dividing the total crayons by the number of friends shows how many each friend gets.

Solution: 36 ÷ 9 = 4 crayons per friend

42. There are 60 candies to be equally divided among 12 children. How many candies will each child receive?

Analysis: Dividing the total candies by the number of children shows how many each child gets.

Solution: 60 ÷ 12 = 5 candies per child

43. If 6 students are to share 30 pencils, how many pencils will each student receive?

Analysis: Dividing the total pencils by the number of students shows how many each gets.

Solution: 30 ÷ 6 = 5 pencils per student

44. Sarah has 24 stickers. She wants to put an equal number of stickers on each notebook page. If she has 6 pages, how many stickers will she put on each page?

Analysis: Dividing the total stickers by the number of pages shows how many each page gets.

Solution: 24 ÷ 6 = 4 stickers per page

45. There are 40 apples need to be packed into baskets with 8 apples in each. How many baskets will be needed?

Analysis: Dividing the total apples by the number per basket shows how many baskets are needed.

Solution: 40 ÷ 8 = 5 baskets

46. A farmer has 48 eggs, and he wants to put them into cartons with 6 eggs in each. How many cartons will he need?

Analysis: Dividing the total eggs by the number per carton shows how many cartons are needed.

Solution: 48 ÷ 6 = 8 cartons

47. There are 35 students in a class. If they are divided into 7 groups for a project, how many groups will there be?

Analysis: Dividing the total students by the group size shows how many groups there will be.

Solution: 35 ÷ 7 = 5 groups

48. A toy store has 50 stuffed animals, and they want to display them in sets of 5 on each shelf. How many shelves will be needed?

Analysis: Dividing the total animals by the number per shelf shows how many shelves are needed.

Solution: 50 ÷ 5 = 10 shelves

49. There are 42 cookies, and they must be packed into bags with 6 cookies in each. How many bags will be needed?

Analysis: Dividing the total cookies by the number per bag shows how many bags are needed.

Solution: 42 ÷ 6 = 7 bags

50. If 28 blocks are to be equally divided among 4 children, how many blocks will each child receive?

Analysis: Dividing the total blocks by the number of children shows how many each child gets.

Solution: 28 ÷ 4 = 7 blocks per child

Discovering the Math Whiz in Every Child with WuKong Math Course

At WuKong Math, they’re passionate about uncovering the math whiz in every child. Their dynamic approach to learning makes math enjoyable and accessible for students worldwide, spanning from grades 1 to 12. Through live math classes, they bring the joy back into mathematics, fostering a love for numbers and problem-solving.

Course Highlights:

• Live Instruction: Experience live math classes led by experienced instructors who make learning engaging and interactive.
• Blended Learning: Their blended classes include small-group sessions online, ensuring personalized attention and support.
• Comprehensive Curriculum: Explore copyrighted courses with a clear grading system designed to cater to students’ diverse learning needs.
• Global Accessibility: Classes are available in all 24 global time zones, so students can attend from anywhere in the world.
• Extensive Math Resources : Discover hundreds of original math learning resources, including game-style challenges and interactive adventures that make learning fun.

Course Benefits:

• Expert Instruction: Their team of math teachers hails from top universities worldwide, bringing years of experience in igniting children’s passion for learning and preparing them for success.
• Enrichment Courses: Build confidence and skills through their enrichment courses, empowering students to excel in math competitions and academic exams.
• Tailored Learning: With 10 levels of advanced enrichment courses, students can find the right level of challenge to enhance their mathematical thinking skills.
• Global Accessibility: Access 24/7 global classes with dedicated teachers, available in 2000+ cities worldwide, ensuring consistent learning for students anywhere.

FAQs about Math Problems for a Third Grader

Q1: what types of math problems should a third grader practice.

A: A third grader should practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and basic fractions.

Q2: How can I help my third grader with math problems?

A: Use visual aids, interactive apps, and daily practice to reinforce concepts and make learning fun.

Q3: How can I make math problems engaging for my third grader?

A: Incorporate games, hands-on activities, and real-world examples to make math problems more engaging for your third grader.

Conclusion:

In this article, we’ve explored 50 engaging math problems for a third grader, complete with their solutions, to help young learners build confidence and skills in math. From addition to division, these problems give a strong foundation for mathematical thinking. For parents looking for more support, WuKong Math offers excellent courses tailored to every child’s needs. Their mix of live classes, helpful resources, and global availability make them a great choice for boosting your child’s math skills. With WuKong Math, discovering the math whiz in your child is possible. Try WuKong Math today and see your child succeed!

Delvair holds a degree in Physics from the Federal University of Maranhão, Brazil. With over six years of experience, she specializes in teaching mathematics, with a particular emphasis on Math Kangaroo competitions. She firmly believes that education is the cornerstone of society’s future. Additionally, she holds the conviction that every child can learn given the right environment and guidance. In her spare time, she enjoys singing and tending to her plants.

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Delvair holds a degree in Physics from the Federal University of Maranhão, Brazil. With over six years of experience, she specializes in teaching mathematics, with a particular emphasis on Math Kangaroo competitions. She firmly believes that education is the cornerstone of society's future. Additionally, she holds the conviction that every child can learn given the right environment and guidance. In her spare time, she enjoys singing and tending to her plants.

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