Equal-group word problems involve interpreting a situation as a number of equal groups, the number in each group, and the resulting total, then representing the relationship with drawings, arrays, repeated addition, or a multiplication or division equation. The learner determines an unknown total, group size, or number of groups and distinguishes equal grouping from additive comparison; the scope is whole-number situations within 100, excluding remainders, fractions, and more advanced multistep or generalized cases.
An equal-group problem has:
Look for words such as each, every, or equal groups.
Example:
There are baskets. Each basket has apples. How many apples are there altogether?
Step 1: Find the groups.
The baskets are the groups.
Step 2: Find how many are in each group.
Each basket has apples.
Step 3: Draw equal groups.
There are groups with apples in each group.
Step 4: Add the equal groups.
This can also be written as a multiplication equation:
So, there are apples altogether.
Remember: Do not add the number of groups and the number in each group. Instead, add the equal groups or multiply:
Click a topic below to practice the foundational skills you'll need, learn the steps, or master this skill
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