Grade 5, Operations
Word problems with large numbers
Stadiums, flights, towns and salmon runs: stories with numbers in the hundred thousands.
Three levels
One skill, rising difficulty
Each sheet carries one level. The three are the same skill at rising difficulty, each named for what it practises.
- Level 1: Add
- Read each problem. Show your work, then write the answer.
- Level 2: Subtract
- Read each problem. Show your work, then write the answer.
- Level 3: Two steps
- Read each problem. Show your work, then write the answer.
Worked example
How the sheet explains it
The helper printed at the top of each sheet: one solved example and the steps a student follows, before the first question. Every number sentence in it is proven by the same checker as the answer key.
Level 1: Add
A city library has 254 300 books at its main branch and 318 650 books at its other branches. How many books does the library have in all? Answer: 572 950 books
- Books at the main branch and the other branches together means add.
- Number sentence: 254 300 + 318 650 = 572 950.
- The library has 572 950 books in all.
Level 2: Subtract
A plane must fly 400 000 kilometres this month. The plane has flown 263 480 kilometres so far. How many more kilometres does the plane need to fly? Answer: 136 520 kilometres
- How many more kilometres means find the difference, so subtract.
- Number sentence: 400 000 − 263 480 = 136 520.
- The plane needs to fly 136 520 more kilometres.
Level 3: Two steps
A town had 48 250 people. Last year 12 400 people moved to the town and 10 150 people moved away. How many people live in the town now? Answer: 50 500 people
- People who move in are added. People who move away are taken away.
- Moved in: 48 250 + 12 400 = 60 650.
- Moved away: 60 650 − 10 150 = 50 500. The town has 50 500 people now.
Goes with
Reference sheets
One-page helpers a student keeps beside this sheet:
- Adding and subtracting in columns
Every reference, facts and support sheet is listed in the worksheet catalogue.
In the BC curriculum
Content standards
The British Columbia content standard this skill is written for, by the codes used across this site:
- bc.math.5.c.5
The wording of each standard is on the Province's mathematics curriculum page.
Print it free
Print the sheet and its answer key
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Back to all worksheets by grade, or read the Grade 5 guide to what this grade learns in British Columbia.