Some problems can't be solved with a single calculation. They need two steps: first one calculation, then a second one using the first result.
"Mum bought 5 apples and 7 pears. The children ate 4 fruits. How many fruits are left?"
How to do it
Step 1 — Calculate or compare the first part.
5 apples + 7 pears = 12 fruits.
Step 2 — Use the result in the next calculation.
12 − 4 eaten = 8 fruits.
Answer: 8 fruits are left.
Tip: keep order
In a two-step problem it's important to see the two steps separately:
- First: mum bought fruits altogether → 12.
- Then: children ate some → 8 left.
Write both steps down — don't try to keep everything in your head at once.
Another example: two purchases
"Janka had \50. She bought a book for \12 and a toy for \$8. How much was left?"
Step 1: spent altogether 12 + 8 =
\$20.
Step 2: 50 − 20 =
\$30.
Answer: Janka had \$30 left.
Different type: growing in steps
"Peter had 6 stickers. On Monday he got 4, on Tuesday another 5. How many does he have now?"
Step 1: 6 + 4 =
10.
Step 2: 10 + 5 =
15.
Answer: Peter now has 15 stickers.
Common mistakes
1. Skipping over the middle.
The child tries 6 + 4 + 5 in their head and gets lost.
Fix: split into two steps and
write the in-between result.
2. Wrong operation in the second step.
After adding in step 1, the child subtracts automatically even though the problem asks for something else.
Fix: for step 2
think again about what is happening in the story.
Summary
- Two-step problem = two calculations, the second uses the result of the first.
- Write both steps — don't try to do them all at once.
- Classic patterns: (altogether) − (eaten) or (altogether) + (some more).
- After each step look back at the problem text.