Lesson 15 Different Types of Story Problems

    • Let’s solve story problems and write equations to match.

Warm-up Which One Doesn’t Belong: Equations

Which one doesn’t belong?

Activity 1 What Questions Can We Ask?

Students seated at a table with pattern blocks. Two teachers standing.

What mathematical questions can you ask about this image?

Activity 2 Different Types of Problems

  1. There are 8 people at the table.
    6 of the people are students.
    How many are teachers?
    Show your thinking using drawings, numbers, or words.

    Equation:

    Equation:

  2. Elena has 4 pattern blocks.
    Tyler has 6 pattern blocks.
    How many fewer pattern blocks does Elena have than Tyler?
    Show your thinking using drawings, numbers, or words.

    Equation:

    Equation:

  3. Tyler has 6 pattern blocks.
    Elena has 4 patterns blocks.
    How many pattern blocks do they have altogether?
    Show your thinking using drawings, numbers, or words.

    Equation:

    Equation:

  4. Priya has 7 triangles and 3 squares.
    How many more triangles than squares does Priya have?
    Show your thinking using drawings, numbers, or words.

    Equation:

    Equation:

Activity 3 Centers: Choice Time

Choose a center.

Capture Squares

Center. Capture Squares.

Shake and Spill

Center. Shake and Spill.

What’s Behind My Back

Center. What's Behind My Back.

Practice Problem

Problem 1

There are 7 hedgehogs underground.
There are 4 hedgehogs on the grass.
How many fewer hedgehogs are on the grass?

  1. Show your thinking using drawings, numbers, or words.

  2. Write an equation to match the story problem. Draw a box around the answer.