Multi-Step Challenge Problems

🎯 What You'll Learn

You will solve challenging problems that require three or more steps, combining all your math skills.

🏪 Market Story

Chidi helps his mother plan a party. They need to buy food for 20 guests. Jollof rice costs ₦100 per plate, drinks cost ₦50 each, and small chops cost ₦30 per person. They have a budget of ₦5,000. Is it enough?

📝 Let's Learn

Step 1: Cost of jollof rice: 20 × ₦100 = ₦2,000.

Step 2: Cost of drinks: 20 × ₦50 = ₦1,000.

Step 3: Cost of small chops: 20 × ₦30 = ₦600.

Step 4: Total: ₦2,000 + ₦1,000 + ₦600 = ₦3,600.

Step 5: Budget check: ₦5,000 − ₦3,600 = ₦1,400 remaining. Yes, it's enough!

Example: Bola earns ₦40 per day for 6 days. She spends ₦30 per day on transport and ₦15 per day on lunch. How much does she save?

Earnings: 6 × ₦40 = ₦240. Transport: 6 × ₦30 = ₦180. Lunch: 6 × ₦15 = ₦90. Total spent: ₦180 + ₦90 = ₦270. But ₦270 > ₦240! Bola spends more than she earns — she saves nothing and is ₦30 short!

✏️ Practice Questions

1. Tunde earns ₦50 per day for 5 days. He spends ₦20 per day on food. How much does he save over 5 days?
2. A teacher buys 30 pencils at ₦10 each and 30 erasers at ₦5 each. She has ₦500. How much change?
3. Funke buys 4 packs of biscuits at ₦25 each and 3 bottles of water at ₦20 each. She pays with ₦200. What is her change?

Click to see answers

1. Earnings: 5 × ₦50 = ₦250. Spending: 5 × ₦20 = ₦100. Savings: ₦250 − ₦100 = ₦150.
2. Pencils: 30 × ₦10 = ₦300. Erasers: 30 × ₦5 = ₦150. Total: ₦300 + ₦150 = ₦450. Change: ₦500 − ₦450 = ₦50.
3. Biscuits: 4 × ₦25 = ₦100. Water: 3 × ₦20 = ₦60. Total: ₦100 + ₦60 = ₦160. Change: ₦200 − ₦160 = ₦40.

💡 Remember

Multi-step problems are just several simple steps combined. Break the problem into small parts, solve each one, and combine the results. Take your time and stay organised!