Worked Example 1
Interpreting a Remainder
150 students ride buses that hold 42 students each. How many buses are needed?
- 1150 ÷ 42 = 3 R24.
- 23 buses carry 126 students, and 24 students are still left.
- 3They need one more bus.
Answer: 4 buses
Florida Grade 5 Math · Algebraic Reasoning
MA.5.AR.1.1: Multi-step word problems
What this Grade 5 benchmark means, worked examples, common mistakes, and a free printable worksheet.
Created by a Florida mom · Published by Tropical Learning LLC
What Is Benchmark MA.5.AR.1.1?
In Grade 5, students solve real-world problems that take more than one step and use any of the four operations with whole numbers.
Some problems have a remainder, and students decide what it means in the story: sometimes you round up (you need another bus), sometimes you drop it (only full boxes count), and sometimes the remainder is the answer.
Official benchmarkSolve multi-step real-world problems involving any combination of the four operations with whole numbers, including problems in which remainders must be interpreted within the context.
On the FAST test: part of the Grade 5 reporting category Algebraic Reasoning, which is about 23–29% of the test.
Worked Examples
Worked Example 2
Two Steps
A store has 12 boxes of 24 pencils and sells 85 pencils. How many are left?
- 1Step 1: 12 × 24 = 288 pencils.
- 2Step 2: 288 − 85 = 203 pencils.
Answer: 203 pencils
Common Mistakes to Watch For
Ignoring what the remainder means
Wrong:150 ÷ 42 = 3 R24, so 3 buses
24 students can't be left behind. The remainder means one more bus is needed: 4 buses.
Stopping after the first step
Wrong:12 × 24 = 288 pencils left
Read the question again: it asks how many are left after selling 85. 288 − 85 = 203.
Helpful Math Tip
Underline the question, then plan the steps before calculating. After solving, reread the question and check that the answer fits the story.
Related Grade 5 Skills
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Start Practicing FreeIndependent Educational Platform. FastChomp is published by Tropical Learning LLC and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by the Florida Department of Education. FAST and Star assessment names are referenced for informational purposes only. FastChomp practice questions are original educational materials, not official Florida FAST assessment questions.