1. Understand the Problem:
   • Read the problem carefully to determine what is being asked.
   • Identify all the numbers involved and recognize that multiplication is needed.
2. Identify Key Information:
   • Look for keywords and phrases that indicate multiplication (e.g., “total,” “each,” “altogether”).
   • Extract the relevant numbers and ignore unnecessary details.
3. Set Up the Multiplication:
   • Write down the numbers to be multiplied.
   • Arrange them in a logical order for multiplication.
4. Use a Step-by-Step Approach:
   • Multiply two numbers at a time.
   • Use the result from each step to multiply by the next number.
5. Check for Reasonableness:
   • Estimate the result to ensure it is reasonable.
   • Compare your final answer with the estimated result to check for accuracy.
6. Write a Complete Answer:
   • Ensure your answer addresses the question asked.
   • Include units if applicable (e.g., dollars, items).

Example Word Problems and Solutions

Problem 1: A school cafeteria prepares 3 trays of cookies for a bake sale. Each tray holds 12 boxes, and each box contains 5 cookies. How many cookies are there in total?

Solution Steps:

1. Identify Key Information:
   • Trays: 3
   • Boxes per tray: 12
   • Cookies per box: 5
2. Set Up the Multiplication:
   • First multiply the number of trays by the number of boxes per tray: 3×12=36
   • Next, multiply the result by the number of cookies per box: 36×5=180.
3. Final Answer:
   • There are 180 cookies in total.

Problem 2: A factory packages 4 crates each day. Each crate contains 8 boxes, and each box holds 6 bottles. How many bottles are packaged in a day?

Solution Steps:

1. Identify Key Information:
   • Crates per day: 4
   • Boxes per crate: 8
   • Bottles per box: 6
2. Set Up the Multiplication:
   • First multiply the number of crates by the number of boxes per crate: 4×8=32
   • Next, multiply the result by the number of bottles per box: 32×6=192
3. Final Answer:
   • There are 192 bottles packaged in a day.

Problem 3: A farmer plants 5 rows of corn. Each row has 10 sections, and each section contains 15 plants. How many plants are there in total?

Solution Steps:

1. Identify Key Information:
   • Rows: 5
   • Sections per row: 10
   • Plants per section: 15
2. Set Up the Multiplication:
   • First multiply the number of rows by the number of sections per row: 5×10=50.
   • Next, multiply the result by the number of plants per section: 50×15=750.
3. Final Answer:
   • There are 750 plants in total.