Everyday Mathematics Grade 4, Unit 1: Place Value, Multidigit Addition and Subtraction
In this unit, your child works with whole numbers up to a million: reading them, writing them, comparing them, and seeing why each place is worth ten times the one to its right. Then they add and subtract big numbers in columns. This place-value work sets up the multiplication and geometry that come next.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 1?
- Explaining why each place is worth ten times the place to its right, so the 4 in 400 is ten times the 4 in 40. Learn more: Why each place is worth ten times the next
- Reading, writing, and comparing numbers up to a million in digits, words, and expanded form, using >, <, and =. Learn more about reading and writing numbers up to a million: Reading and writing numbers up to a million · Learn more about comparing numbers up to a million
- Adding and subtracting multidigit numbers in columns, regrouping from one place to the next, including across zeros. Learn more about adding numbers up to a million: Adding numbers up to a million · Learn more about subtracting numbers up to a million
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
Compare 40 thousands and 4 ten thousands. Which is true?
- 4 ten thousands is more
- They are equal
- 40 thousands is more
How you can help
- Read big numbers aloud from a news story, a stadium sign, or a price tag, then ask your child what each digit is worth and to write the number in expanded form.
- Play a card game: each of you draws six cards, builds the largest number you can, reads it aloud, and decides with greater than or less than whose number wins.
- Find how many more pages one long book has than another, or add the pages of two books, writing the numbers in columns so ones line up with ones.
Where kids can get stuck
- Writing "forty thousand six" as 4,006, unsure how many zeros hold the empty places.
- Subtracting the smaller digit from the larger in every column, so 52 − 38 comes out as 26 instead of 14.
- Getting stuck subtracting across zeros, as in 5,000 − 2,346, and writing 3,346 instead of 2,654.
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
- place value
- The value a digit has because of where it sits in a number.
- digit
- Any one of the ten symbols 0 through 9 that we use to write numbers.
- period
- A group of three places in a big number, set off by commas, such as the thousands.
- expanded form
- A number written as the sum of what each digit is worth, like 4,000 + 300 + 20 + 5.
- word form
- A number written in words, such as six thousand, forty.
- regroup
- To trade 10 of one place for 1 of the next, like 10 ones for 1 ten.
- difference
- The answer to a subtraction problem.
Ready to build your child’s confidence with place value to a million?
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 Everyday Mathematics Grade 4 Unit 1 cover?
Everyday 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.