K-5 friendly lesson
One small step at a time.Read the idea, try the activity, and celebrate each win as you go.

Word Problems: Add THREE Big Numbers

πŸ”οΈ Climb the ultimate mountain! What happens when the story requires you to stack THREE huge numbers together?

Do this: Read the concept below, then try the quiz or activity.

Lesson 77 of 186

Concept

A regular addition story has two parts. "Bob bought 2 things." But sometimes, Bob goes crazy and buys 3 things!

🎯 The Tower Strategy Review: Story: "At the grocery store, Mom bought items for $24, a cake for $15, and decorations for $36. Total cost?"

1. Stack all three perfectly! 2 4 1 5 + 3 6 -------- 2. Add down the Ones: 4 + 5 = 9. 9 + 6 = 15! (Write 5, carry the 1). 3. Add down the Tens: 1 (carried) + 2 = 3. 3 + 1 = 4. 4 + 3 = 7. 4. Final Answer: $75.

Just take it slow and don't lose track of your carried number!

Try it

Stack the tower!

Instructions: Find the three numbers in the story. Stack them neatly on scratch paper and solve!

Mystery 1: The school raised money for charity. The first grade raised $42. The second grade raised $35. The third grade raised $48. How much did they all raise together? * Stacked: 42 + 35 + 48 * Answer: ___ dollars.

Mystery 2: You are building a massive LEGO castle. You use 56 gray bricks, 24 black bricks, and 19 red bricks. How many totally bricks did you use? * Stacked: 56 + 24 + 19 * Answer: ___ bricks.

Mystery 3: A frog caught 12 flies on Monday, 38 flies on Tuesday, and 25 flies on Wednesday. How many bugs did he eat in all? * Answer: ___ flies.