How to explain word problems, ×100 in multiplying by 10, 100 and 1000 to your student
23 October 2026
Word problems that use multiplication by 100 can seem tricky at first, but breaking them down into small steps makes them much easier for children to understand. Here is a clear example to show your child how to approach these questions with confidence.
Word problem example
A packet contains 45 sweets. If the shop sells 100 packets, how many sweets are sold in total?
Step 1: Find out what the question is asking. We need the total number of sweets in 100 packets.
Step 2: Multiply the number of sweets in one packet by 100.
45 × 100
Step 3: Multiply 45 by 1 to get 45.
Step 4: Add two zeros to 45 because 100 has two zeros.
So, 45 × 100 = 4500
Key insight: When you multiply by 100, just add two zeros to the end of the number.
The answer is 4500 sweets.
After seeing this example, your child will recognise when to multiply by 100 in word problems and how to do it quickly. The next step is to practise this type of question, so they can solve similar problems on their own.
