Three-number word problems
Solve word problems that call for adding three whole numbers with a total of 20 or less, representing the problem with objects, a drawing or a three-part bar model and with an equation that uses a symbol for the unknown total (e.g. 4 + 7 + 6 = ☐); choose a convenient order or grouping to add (such as making 10 first) and give the answer in the context of the problem
Lesson
Set out your lesson
“Three-number word problems means a story that asks you to add three whole numbers with a total of 20 or less. You show the three parts with objects, a drawing, or a three-part bar, write an equation with a box for the total (for example 4 + 7 + 6 = ☐), and you may regroup to make 10 first. The final answer is said in the story’s context.”
Bring to the table
- About 20 large counters or school-supply stand-ins (pencils, erasers drawn on paper) — parent keeps tiny pieces away from mouths
- Paper and pencil for a drawing or three-part bar and an equation
Extra for the adult
Worked example. 4 + 7 + 6 = ☐. Grouping 4 + 6 = 10, then 10 + 7 = 17 items. A three-part bar shows the same three addends and unknown total. The answer is “17 items,” not only the bare number.
Optional challenge. For Three-number word problems, invent one three-addend story under 20, write a three-part bar and ☐ equation, and solve a partner’s story by choosing a make-10 first when possible. Optional: show two different groupings that reach the same total.
What to notice. Keep one parent note: stories; equation with ☐; representation used; grouping choice; contextual answer; support used. A photo of counters alone cannot record the equation and context sentence. This session samples a few triples, not full fluency.
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Teaching approaches
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1 approach
Three-number word problems means a story that asks you to add three whole numbers with a total of 20 or less. You show the three parts with objects, a drawing, or a three-part bar, write an equation with a box for the total (for example 4 + 7 + 6 = ☐), and you may regroup to make 10 first. The final answer is said in the story’s context.
Spend about 15 minutes solving three-addend word problems to 20 with objects or a three-part bar, writing ☐ equations, choosing a helpful grouping, and answering in context.
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Learning resources
Extra practice links — they do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.
Illustrative Mathematics · Practice link — not the full lesson
School Supplies
Before you open · source notes
A three-number school-supply story supports put-together word problems. Not every two-step multiplication story.
Free, no sign-in. A teacher solution is on the same page, so use the student view with your child.
Before you openAsk the learner to write one number sentence that uses all three amounts and say what the total means.
Opening this link does not save learning or assess mastery.
Source, access and review notes
Public Illustrative Mathematics task page. The .html address responds HTTP 308 to this URL. An anonymous GET of this URL on 2026-11-12 returned HTTP 200 with no login or payment prompt. Where a teacher solution is present, it is on the same page as the student task; this check did not find a separate locked student view. An adult can use the student view section and should not read a solution aloud. Advertising was not observed in the fetched HTML text; that is not a browser, device, or ad-free guarantee. This is a paper or discussion task, not an automatically marked interactive game. Opening the link does not save practice or assess mastery. Diagrams on the page use missing or filename-only alt text, so they are not an accessible image equivalent. Accessibility still depends on an adult describing the picture.
Illustrative Mathematics. “School Supplies.” Licensed CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. External task; Gakuva does not copy, host, embed, or redistribute it.
CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — link only
Check understanding
- Solve 'Sam has 4 red, 7 blue and 6 green pencils. How many pencils does he have?' with counters or a drawing, writing 4 + 7 + 6 = ☐ and answering 'Sam has 17 pencils'
- Write the equation 3 + 9 + 7 = ☐ for a story about apples picked on three days, and add 3 + 7 first to make 10 (19 apples)
- Draw a three-part bar model for a story about 5 cars, 8 bikes and 2 buses and explain how each part matches a number in the equation 5 + 8 + 2 = ☐
“If your child picks 4 apples, then 7, then 6, could they show the problem with objects or a drawing, write it as 4 + 7 + 6 = ?, and work out how many apples they have altogether?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Procedural
- Subject
- Mathematics
- Domain
- Addition & Subtraction
- Age range
- Ages 6–7
Standards