Definition
One-step problem
A one-step problem needs one main mathematical operation to find the requested unknown.
What it means
The story may take thought, but the calculation path has one main move. If 13 birds are joined by 8 more, the unknown total is found with one addition: 13 + 8. If the problem then asks how many fly away and remain, another operation is needed and the problem becomes multi-step.
Remember it
One requested unknown, one main operation.
Example
A box holds 24 crayons. Seven crayons are used. How many remain? The unknown is found with one subtraction: 24 − 7 = 17. The answer is 17 crayons.
Watch for
A problem is not one-step merely because its written solution fits on one line. If two dependent operations are required, it is a multi-step problem.
Common mix-up
Choosing an operation, drawing a model, and checking the result are parts of solving, but they do not add extra arithmetic steps.
Exact meaning
A one-step problem is a problem whose requested unknown can be found by applying one mathematical operation, or one directly equivalent relationship, after the information is interpreted. Reading, representing, and checking are not additional calculation steps.