Bridges in Mathematics Grade 4, Unit 1: Multiplicative Thinking
In this unit, your child starts the year thinking in multiplication. They learn to read 24 = 6 × 4 as a comparison, solve "times as many" story problems, and find the factors and multiples inside a number. These ideas lead straight into the next unit, where your child multiplies larger numbers and takes the first steps in division.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 1?
- Reading a fact like 24 = 6 × 4 as a comparison, so 24 is 6 times as many as 4. Learn more: Reading multiplication as "times as many"
- Solving story problems that say "times as many," and deciding whether the story calls for multiplying or dividing. Learn more: Story problems about "times as many"
- Finding every factor pair of a number up to 100, and telling prime numbers from composite numbers. Learn more about finding factors and multiples up to 100: Finding factors and multiples up to 100 · Learn more about spotting prime numbers
Sample questions to try together
These are real questions from our practice. Tap the speaker to hear one read aloud, or the light bulb for a hint, and talk about the answer together.
Question 1 of 3
A man is 6 feet tall. A giraffe is 3 times as tall as the man. Which equation finds g, the giraffe's height in feet?
- g = 3 × 6
- 6 = 3 × g
- g = 3 + 6
How you can help
- Compare ages on a walk or ride. If your child is 9 and a grandparent is 72, ask how many times as old the grandparent is, then say the sentence together: 72 is 8 times as many as 9.
- Make up a "times as many" story at the store. If a small bag of apples costs $3 and a big bag costs 4 times as much, ask what the big bag costs, and why it is $12, not $7.
- Lay out 24 crackers in equal rows on the table. Ask your child to find every rectangle they can make, then try 23 and talk about why it only makes one long row.
Where kids can get stuck
- Adding instead of multiplying, so "4 times as many as 6" becomes 10 instead of 24.
- Getting a comparison backwards, as in saying 6 is 4 times as many as 24.
- Thinking every odd number is prime, and calling 9 or 15 prime even though 9 = 3 × 3.
Practice makes perfect
Bobby's Math Club has practice problems that adapt to your child’s level, each with a detailed explanation and an easy-to-follow video, so your child can build confidence in these skills one step at a time.
Words your child will hear
- times as many
- A way to compare two amounts by saying how many copies of one make the other.
- multiplicative comparison
- Comparing two amounts by multiplying, as in "15 is 3 times as many as 5."
- equation
- A number sentence with an equal sign, showing both sides have the same value.
- factor
- A number that multiplies with another number to make a given number, like 4 in 4 × 6 = 24.
- multiple
- The product of a number and a whole number, like 6, 12, and 18 for the number 6.
- factor pair
- Two numbers that multiply to make a given number, like 3 and 8 for 24.
- prime number
- A number greater than 1 with exactly two factors, 1 and itself, like 7.
- composite number
- A number greater than 1 with more than two factors, like 12.
Want to help your child master multiplication and factors?
In Bobby's Math Club, your child practices these skills at just the right level, with a hint when they need one, a clear explanation after every question, and kid-friendly videos. Unlimited practice is free.
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Written by Robert “Bobby” Barnett
Bobby is an award-winning math teacher, the author of Meet Every Learner’s Needs, and the father of two elementary-school math learners. He uses Bobby’s Math Club with his own kids a few times every week. Learn more or contact Bobby.
Which math standards does Bridges in Mathematics Grade 4 Unit 1 cover?
Bridges in Mathematics Grade 4 Unit 1 covers these math standards. Each one links to what it means, sample questions, and teaching strategies.
For teachers: Unit names and order vary between editions and districts, so your school’s own materials have the exact sequence. Learn how Bobby's Math Club can help your students grow.