enVision Mathematics Grade 4, Topic 6: Use Operations to Solve Problems
In this unit, your child pulls together adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing to solve story problems that take more than one step. They write equations with a letter for the unknown, estimate to check their answers, and decide what remainders mean. It draws on the division unit just before it and leads into factors and multiples.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Topic 6?
- Solving multi-step story problems with all four operations, writing an equation with a letter for the unknown, and checking with an estimate. Learn more: Multi-step story problems and leftovers
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 class of 28 students splits into 4 equal teams for a game. Then 2 new students join one of the teams. How many students are on that team now?
- 9
- 7
- 30
How you can help
- Plan a pretend party. If 20 guests each get 3 cookies and cookies come in packs of 8, ask your child to estimate first, then find that 60 cookies need 8 packs.
- Imagine your child saves $3 a week and want a $20 toy, ask how many weeks they must save, and why the answer is 7 weeks, not 6.
- Turn a store trip into a two-step story: 3 packs of 12 juice boxes, and 8 go to a picnic. Ask how many are left, and have your child write it as one equation.
Where kids can get stuck
- Stopping after the first step, answering 36 juice boxes when the question asks how many are left after 8 go.
- Grabbing the numbers and an operation before deciding what the question is asking.
- Skipping the estimate, so an answer ten times too big goes unnoticed.
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
- multistep problem
- A word problem that needs more than one calculation to solve.
- equation
- A number sentence with an equal sign, showing both sides have the same value.
- unknown
- The missing number in a problem, often shown with a letter or a box.
- variable
- A letter that stands for an unknown number in an equation.
- estimate
- A close guess, often made with rounded numbers, to check whether an answer makes sense.
- reasonable
- Making sense; a reasonable answer is close to the estimate and fits the story.
- remainder
- The amount left over when a number can't be split into equal groups exactly.
- interpret
- To decide what an answer, like a remainder, means in the story.
Want to help your child master solving word problems?
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.
Join the club
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 enVision Mathematics Grade 4 Topic 6 cover?
enVision Mathematics Grade 4 Topic 6 covers this math standard. Each one links to what it means, sample questions, and teaching strategies.
- 4.OA.A.3: Solve word problems with several steps, including ones with remainders.
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.