5th grade word problems to print (CM2, ages 10–11)
Ten word problems for ages 10–11 (CM2, about 5th grade): your child reads each short story, picks the right operation and writes the answer with its unit. Above, the interactive version reads every question aloud and Gauvain cheers each right answer. Below, the free printable PDF includes the full answer key, no sign-up needed.
10 printable 5th grade word problems, with answers
Ten problems that get gradually harder, starring Gauvain and friends. Your child reads the story, chooses the operation and writes the answer with its unit. The PDF has the problems with space to work, then a detailed answer key.
Gauvain has 3 packs of 12 arrows. He loses 5. How many arrows does he have left?
Gauvain buys 2 swords at $15.50 each. How much does he pay?
The castle wall walk is 1.2 km long. Gauvain walks around it 3 times. How far does he walk?
5 horses eat 20 kg of hay a day. How much hay do 8 horses eat a day?
A banner costs $12.75. Gauvain pays with a $20 bill. How much change does he get?
144 guests sit at tables of 8 for the banquet. How many tables are needed?
Three quarters of the 80 knights carry a blue shield. How many knights carry a blue shield?
The tournament starts at 2:35 pm and lasts 1 hour 50 minutes. What time does it end?
Gauvain has $50. He buys 3 helmets at $9.90 each. How much money does he have left?
A potion for 4 people needs 300 g of honey. How much honey is needed for 10 people?
3 × 12 = 36, then 36 − 5 = 31: He has 31 arrows left.
2 × 15.50 = 31: He pays $31.
3 × 1.2 = 3.6: He walks 3.6 km.
20 ÷ 5 = 4 kg per horse, then 8 × 4 = 32: 8 horses eat 32 kg of hay.
20 − 12.75 = 7.25: He gets $7.25 in change.
144 ÷ 8 = 18: 18 tables are needed.
80 ÷ 4 = 20, then 3 × 20 = 60: 60 knights carry a blue shield.
2:35 + 1:50 = 4:25: It ends at 4:25 pm.
3 × 9.90 = 29.70, then 50 − 29.70 = 20.30: He has $20.30 left.
300 ÷ 4 = 75 g per person, then 10 × 75 = 750: 750 g of honey are needed.
The 4-step method
Read the problem twice: once to understand the story, once to spot the numbers.
Find the question: underline it: are we looking for how many altogether, how many are left, how many each?
Choose the operation: by drawing the situation: circles for objects, an arrow for what comes or goes.
Calculate and check: then answer with a full sentence and the unit, for example: “He pays $31.”
What children practise at ages 10–11
At ages 10–11, problems mix decimals, time, fractions of an amount and proportion. Children must pick out the useful data, organise several calculations and write a complete answer: direct preparation for middle school.
Kidibook tipHave your child underline the question in red and the useful numbers in blue: at this age, some problems include extra data on purpose, to check they really understood.
Parents' questions
How can I help my child (CM2, ages 10–11) when they get stuck on a word problem?
Ask them to retell the story in their own words, then draw it (circles for objects, an arrow for what leaves). If they are still stuck, swap the numbers for smaller ones: the method becomes clear, and they just redo the calculation with the real numbers.
How many word problems should my child do each day?
Two or three problems, 10 to 15 minutes, are enough. Regular practice matters more than quantity: a few minutes every day beat an hour on Sunday.
How do you solve a proportion problem?
The safest way is to go through one unit: 5 horses eat 20 kg, so 1 horse eats 4 kg, so 8 horses eat 32 kg. A table or a multiplier (× 4) works too.
