Maths Library

Word Problems: Four Operations: Grade 2 math

Apply addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to contextual real-world scenarios. Worksheets challenge pupils to identify the correct operations and solve multi-step problems.

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What this covers

Word Problems: Four Operations is taught in Grade 2 (age 7 to 8) as a main teaching focus. It sits in the Number strand.

Worked example

A school buys 4 boxes of pens with 25 pens in each box. If 15 pens are given away, how many pens remain

  1. Find total pens bought: 4 × 25 = 100
  2. Subtract pens given away: 100 - 15 = 85

Answer: 85

Difficulty scale

The sheet generator offers five difficulty settings for this topic.

  1. Single-step word problems with integers up to 100
  2. Two-step word problems involving combinations of addition and subtraction
  3. Two-step problems combining multiplication or division with addition or subtraction
  4. Multi-step problems requiring three operations or interpreting remainders in context
  5. Complex multi-step problems involving decimals, money, or hidden constraints

Common mistakes

  • Selecting operations purely from keywords (e.g. assuming 'more' always means addition)
  • Solving only the first step of a multi-step problem and recording an incomplete answer

Curriculum links

Indicative matches to Common Core State Standards. Check wording and codes against the official document.

  • 2.OA.A.1 Use addition and subtraction within 100 to solve one- and two-step word problems.

Sample sheet and answers

Six questions at the level's usual difficulty. Open the editor to change, add or regenerate any of them.

Word Problems: Four Operations

Grade 2 math

Qs
6
Marks
6
NameDateScore / 6
1.
Leo has 9 coins and gives away 6. How many are left?
[1]
2.
Priya has 22 beads and is given 4 more. How many beads does Priya have now?
[1]
3.
Noah has 11 stickers and gives away 5. How many are left?
[1]
4.
Leo has 8 marbles and gives away 6. How many are left?
[1]
5.
Noah has 8 shells and gives away 4. How many are left?
[1]
6.
Asha has 21 stickers and gives away 11. How many are left?
[1]

Answer key

  1. 3Subtract: 9 − 6 = 3
  2. 26Add: 22 + 4 = 26
  3. 6Subtract: 11 − 5 = 6
  4. 2Subtract: 8 − 6 = 2
  5. 4Subtract: 8 − 4 = 4
  6. 10Subtract: 21 − 11 = 10