Skill: Solve equal-group word problems

An equal-group problem has:

• a number of groups
• the same number in each group
• a total

Look for words such as each, every, or equal groups.

Example:
There are $4$ baskets. Each basket has $3$ apples. How many apples are there altogether?

Step 1: Find the groups.
The $4$ baskets are the groups.

Step 2: Find how many are in each group.
Each basket has $3$ apples.

Step 3: Draw equal groups.

$$(●\ ●\ ●)\quad (●\ ●\ ●)\quad (●\ ●\ ●)\quad (●\ ●\ ●)$$

There are $4$ groups with $3$ apples in each group.

Step 4: Add the equal groups.

$$3+3+3+3=12$$

This can also be written as a multiplication equation:

$$4\times 3=12$$

So, there are $(12)$ apples altogether.

Remember: Do not add the number of groups and the number in each group. Instead, add the equal groups or multiply:

$$\text{number of groups}\times\text{number in each group}=\text{total}$$