Single Step Launch Worksheet Story Problem Squad • Level 1
Single Step Launch Worksheet
Solve each single-step addition or subtraction story problem. Write your equation and show your thinking.
Name:
Date:
Score:
/ 10
Strategy Checklist: 1. Circle given numbers • 2. Underline the question • 3. Choose + or − • 4. Label your answer with units
1
Leo collected 148 stickers in his travel album. On his birthday, his aunt gifted him 75 more stickers. How many stickers does Leo have now in all?
Equation:
Answer:
stickers
2
The school cafeteria baked 320 blueberry muffins. By lunchtime, hungry students had eaten 185 muffins. How many muffins remain?
Equation:
Answer:
muffins
3
An aquarium tank holds 245 fish in total. If 118 of the fish are bright tetras and the rest are angelfish, how many angelfish are in the tank?
Equation:
Answer:
angelfish
4
Maya read 264 pages of her adventure book this week. Caleb read 189 pages. How many more pages did Maya read than Caleb?
Equation:
Answer:
pages
5
An apple orchard worker picked 175 red apples in the morning. After picking more in the afternoon, she counted 310 red apples in all. How many did she pick in the afternoon?
Equation:
Answer:
apples
Story Problem Squad • One-Step Addition & Subtraction Page 1 of 2
P2
Single Step Launch Worksheet (Continued)
Problems 6 to 10 • Determine the correct operation (+ or −) and show all work.
Name:
6
A local video game club had 415 tournament tickets. After handing tickets out to interested players, they had 280 tickets remaining. How many tickets did they distribute?
Equation:
Answer:
tickets
7
A woodland hiking trail in Pine Valley is 375 meters long. The scenic bike path is 145 meters longer than the hiking trail. How long is the bike path?
Equation:
Answer:
meters
8
During the district field day, the Red Foxes scored 268 points and the Blue Falcons scored 247 points. What was the combined total score of both teams?
Equation:
Answer:
points
9
A baker sold 134 fresh bagels during the busy morning rush. At noon, there were still 88 bagels left on the shelf. How many bagels did the bakery start with?
Equation:
Answer:
bagels
10
The city science museum welcomed 520 visitors on Saturday. On Sunday, there were 165 fewer visitors than on Saturday. How many people visited on Sunday?
Equation:
Answer:
visitors
Story Problem Squad • One-Step Addition & Subtraction Page 2 of 2
Mixed Ops Mission Worksheet Story Problem Squad • Level 2
Mixed Ops Mission Worksheet
Read each story problem, choose the correct operation (+, −, ×, or ÷), write your equation, and solve.
Name:
Date:
Score:
/ 10
Add (+): combine, join, total
Subtract (−): take away, difference
Multiply (×): equal groups, arrays
Divide (÷): split equally, share
1
An art teacher bought 6 packages of watercolor brushes for a painting project. Each package contains 8 brushes. How many watercolor brushes did she buy in total?
Op: [ + − × ÷ ]
Equation:
Answer:
brushes
2
Marcus is reading a chapter book that has 184 pages. So far, he has read 67 pages. How many pages does Marcus have left to read to finish the book?
Op: [ + − × ÷ ]
Equation:
Answer:
pages
3
The community garden volunteers have 36 pepper seedlings. They plant them equally into 4 garden raised beds. How many seedlings are in each bed?
Op: [ + − × ÷ ]
Equation:
Answer:
seedlings
4
In the school supply drive, third graders collected 174 spiral notebooks and fourth graders collected 158 spiral notebooks. How many notebooks were collected altogether?
Op: [ + − × ÷ ]
Equation:
Answer:
notebooks
5
A science lab room is arranged with 7 laboratory tables. Exactly 5 student stools are placed around each table. How many student stools are in the science lab?
Op: [ + − × ÷ ]
Equation:
Answer:
stools
Story Problem Squad • One-Step Mixed Operations Page 1 of 2
P2
Mixed Ops Mission Worksheet (Continued)
Problems 6 to 10 • Circle your operation, show your work, and label your solution.
Name:
6
A tennis coach has 48 yellow tennis balls. She packs them into pressurized cans that hold 3 balls each. How many complete cans can the coach fill?
Op: [ + − × ÷ ]
Equation:
Answer:
cans
7
A hot air balloon rose to an altitude of 420 feet above the park. Due to shifting wind currents, the pilot descended 135 feet. What is the balloon’s current altitude?
Op: [ + − × ÷ ]
Equation:
Double Trouble Steps Worksheet Story Problem Squad • Level 3
Double Trouble Steps Worksheet
Solve each two-step word problem using addition and subtraction. Show your work for both steps.
Name:
Date:
Score:
/ 10
Two-Step Plan: Step 1: Solve the hidden first question ➔ Step 2: Use your Step 1 answer to solve the main question ➔ Write both equations!
1
Maya had 145 craft beads. Her friend gave her 85 more beads. Then, Maya used 65 beads to make a friendship necklace. How many craft beads does Maya have left?
Step 1 Work
Eq:
Step 2 Work
Eq:
Final Answer:
beads
2
A neighborhood bookstore had 350 mystery novels in stock. During a weekend sale, they sold 125 novels. On Monday, a box of 80 new novels arrived. How many novels are in stock now?
Step 1 Work
Eq:
Step 2 Work
Eq:
Final Answer:
novels
3
The school carnival baked 500 sugar cookies. The morning booth sold 180 cookies, and the afternoon booth sold 215 cookies. How many cookies were left unsold?
Step 1 Work
Eq:
Step 2 Work
Eq:
Final Answer:
cookies
4
In an arcade challenge, Liam scored 138 points. Sophia scored 45 more points than Liam. What was the total combined score earned by both Liam and Sophia?
Step 1 Work
Eq:
Step 2 Work
Eq:
Final Answer:
points
5
A farmer picked 420 ears of sweet corn. She brought 150 ears to the town market and gave 135 ears to a roadside stand. How many ears does she have left?
Step 1 Work
Eq:
Step 2 Work
Eq:
Final Answer:
ears
Story Problem Squad • Two-Step Addition & Subtraction Page 1 of 2
P2
Double Trouble Steps Worksheet (Continued)
Problems 6 to 10 • Carry your Step 1 result into Step 2 to find the final answer.
Name:
6
A school bus began its morning run with 52 students. At the first stop, 18 students got off. At the second stop, 14 more students got off. How many students remained on the bus?
Step 1 Work
Eq:
Step 2 Work
Eq:
Single Step Launch Answer Key Story Problem Squad • Teacher Reference
Single Step Launch Answer Key
Complete worked solutions, equations, and common misconception notes for all 10 problems.
Format 10 Word Problems • 1-Step (+ / −)
1 Leo's Stickers (Join / Result) Addition
Equation: 148 + 75 = 223
Calculation: \( 148 + 70 = 218 \); \( 218 + 5 = 223 \)
Final Answer: 223 stickers
Watch: Check regrouping in ones (\(8+5=13\)) and tens.
2 Cafeteria Muffins (Separate / Result) Subtraction
Equation: 320 − 185 = 135
Calculation: \( 320 - 100 = 220 \); \( 220 - 85 = 135 \)
Final Answer: 135 muffins
Watch: Students must regroup across zero in ones (\(10-5=5\)).
3 Aquarium Fish (Part-Part-Whole) Subtraction
Equation: 245 − 118 = 127
Calculation: \( 245 - 100 = 145 \); \( 145 - 18 = 127 \)
Final Answer: 127 angelfish
Watch: Avoid adding \(245+118\); whole is given, part is missing.
4 Reading Pages (Compare / Diff) Subtraction
Equation: 264 − 189 = 75
Calculation: \( 189 + 11 = 200 \); \( 200 + 64 = 264 \); \( 11+64=75 \)
Final Answer: 75 pages
Watch: "How many more" cues comparison subtraction, not addition.
5 Apple Harvest (Join / Change) Subtraction
Equation: 310 − 175 = 135 or \( 175 + \underline{135} = 310 \)
Calculation: \( 310 - 100 = 210 \); \( 210 - 75 = 135 \)
Final Answer: 135 apples
Watch: Target is the missing change, not combining 175 and 310.
6 Game Club (Separate / Change) Subtraction
Equation: 415 − 280 = 135
Calculation: \( 415 - 200 = 215 \); \( 215 - 80 = 135 \)
Final Answer: 135 tickets
Watch: Regrouping tens: \(11\text{ tens} - 8\text{ tens} = 3\text{ tens}\).
7 Bike Trail (Compare / Bigger) Addition
Equation: 375 + 145 = 520
Calculation: \( 375 + 100 = 475 \); \( 475 + 45 = 520 \)
Final Answer: 520 meters
Watch: "Longer than" indicates adding the difference to base length.
8 Field Day (Part-Part-Whole) Addition
Equation: 268 + 247 = 515
Calculation: \( (260 + 240) + (8 + 7) = 500 + 15 = 515 \)
Final Answer: 515 points
Watch: Carrying across both ones (\(8+7=15\)) and tens (\(6+4+1=11\)).
Mixed Ops Mission Answer Key Story Problem Squad • Teacher Reference
Mixed Ops Mission Answer Key
Operation choices, equations, verified answers, and instructional notes for all 10 mixed-operation problems.
Format 10 Word Problems • Mixed (+, −, ×, ÷)
1 Watercolor Brushes (Equal Groups) Multiplication (×)
Equation: 6 × 8 = 48
Thinking: 6 equal packs with 8 items per pack. Repeated addition: \( 6 \times 8 = 48 \).
Final Answer: 48 brushes
Concept: Equal-sized groups require multiplication, not \(6+8\).
2 Marcus's Novel (Part-Whole) Subtraction (−)
Equation: 184 − 67 = 117
Thinking: Total pages minus pages already read equals pages left.
Final Answer: 117 pages
Concept: Watch regrouping across tens and ones (\(14 - 7 = 7\); \(17 - 6 = 11\)).
3 Garden Seedlings (Equal Sharing) Division (÷)
Equation: 36 ÷ 4 = 9
Thinking: 36 total seedlings shared equally among 4 garden beds.
Final Answer: 9 seedlings
Concept: "Equally into 4 beds" cues division/partitioning.
4 Supply Drive (Combine Collections) Addition (+)
Equation: 174 + 158 = 332
Thinking: Combining grade 3 and grade 4 notebooks into one grand total.
Final Answer: 332 notebooks
Concept: "Altogether" indicates sum; watch carrying into tens and hundreds.
5 Science Lab Stools (Array / Rate) Multiplication (×)
Equation: 7 × 5 = 35
Thinking: 7 tables with 5 stools each = 7 groups of 5.
Final Answer: 35 stools
Concept: Multiplication fact practice (\(7 \times 5 = 35\)).
6 Tennis Balls (Grouping / Measurement) Division (÷)
Equation: 48 ÷ 3 = 16
Thinking: 48 total balls grouped by 3 balls per can: \( 48 \div 3 = 16 \).
Final Answer: 16 cans
Concept: Measurement division: \(30\div 3 = 10\); \(18\div 3 = 6\); \(10+6=16\).
7 Hot Air Balloon (Decrease / Altitude) Subtraction (−)
Equation: 420 − 135 = 285
Thinking: Initial altitude minus descent: \( 420 - 135 = 285 \).
Final Answer: 285 feet
Concept: "Descended" indicates reduction/subtraction.
8 Theater Tickets (Unit Cost Rate) Multiplication (×)
Equation: 8 × $9 = $72
Thinking: 8 tickets each priced at $9 = 8 groups of 9 dollars.
Double Trouble Steps Answer Key Story Problem Squad • Teacher Reference
Double Trouble Steps Answer Key
Step 1 & Step 2 worked pathways, intermediate values, and final answers for all 10 two-step problems.
Format 10 Word Problems • 2-Step (+ / − Only)
1 Maya's Craft Beads Add ➔ Subtract
Step 1 (Combine): \( 145 + 85 = 230 \) beads in total
Step 2 (Use beads): \( 230 - 65 = 165 \) beads left
Final Answer: 165 beads
Note: Intermediate value \(230\) must be carried directly into Step 2.
2 Bookstore Novels Subtract ➔ Add
Step 1 (Sold): \( 350 - 125 = 225 \) novels remaining
Step 2 (Shipment): \( 225 + 80 = 305 \) novels in stock
Final Answer: 305 novels
Note: Students subtract sales first, then add newly received inventory.
3 Carnival Cookies Add ➔ Subtract
Step 1 (Total sold): \( 180 + 215 = 395 \) cookies sold
Step 2 (Unsold): \( 500 - 395 = 105 \) cookies left
Final Answer: 105 cookies
Alt: Sequential subtraction (\(500-180=320\); \(320-215=105\)) also valid.
4 Arcade Points Add ➔ Add
Step 1 (Sophia): \( 138 + 45 = 183 \) points for Sophia
Step 2 (Both): \( 138 + 183 = 321 \) total combined points
Final Answer: 321 points
Note: Classic trap! Students often stop at 183 and forget to add Liam's 138.
5 Sweet Corn Harvest Add ➔ Subtract
Step 1 (Delivered): \( 150 + 135 = 285 \) ears delivered
Step 2 (Remaining): \( 420 - 285 = 135 \) ears left
Final Answer: 135 ears
Alt: \( 420 - 150 = 270 \); \( 270 - 135 = 135 \).
6 School Bus Stops Sub ➔ Sub (or Add ➔ Sub)
Step 1 (Stop 1): \( 52 - 18 = 34 \) students after stop 1
Step 2 (Stop 2): \( 34 - 14 = 20 \) students remaining
Final Answer: 20 students
Alt: \( 18 + 14 = 32 \) off; \( 52 - 32 = 20 \) on bus.
7 Robotics Fundraiser Add ➔ Subtract
Step 1 (Raised): \( \$185 + \$160 = \$345 \) raised so far
Step 2 (Needed): \( \$450 - \$345 = \$105 \) still needed
Final Answer: $105
Note: Goal is $450; ensure students subtract total funds from goal.
