Everyday Mathematics Grade 4, Unit 4: Multidigit Multiplication
In this unit, your child returns to multiplication with bigger numbers, multiplying up to four digits by one digit and two 2-digit numbers, and uses it to solve word problems that take more than one step. It follows the fraction and decimal unit, picks up the place-value multiplying from earlier in the year, and comes before adding, subtracting, and multiplying fractions and mixed numbers.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 4?
- Multiplying up to a four-digit number by a one-digit number, and a two-digit number by a two-digit number, with area models and partial products. Learn more about multiplying large numbers by a one-digit number: Multiplying large numbers by a one-digit number · Learn more about multiplying two two-digit numbers
- Solving word problems that take two or more steps, choosing the operation for each step and checking whether the answer is reasonable. 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
Beads come in bags of 125. Jamal buys 6 bags to make bracelets. How many beads does he get?
- 620
- 750
- 625
How you can help
- Plan a party together: if 14 guests each get 12 crackers, ask your child how many crackers you need, splitting 14 × 12 into 10 × 12 and 4 × 12.
- Pose a two-step story at the store: we buy 3 boxes of 24 granola bars and eat 10, so how many are left? Ask your child what to find first.
- Estimate before multiplying: before working out 38 × 21, ask your child whether the product will be closer to 800 or 8,000, and why.
Where kids can get stuck
- Writing 60 × 30 as 180 inside an area model, treating the tens as if they were ones.
- Stopping after the first step of a word problem, answering with a middle number instead of what the question asks.
- Adding the partial products with their digits lined up on the left, so the total comes out far too large.
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
- factor
- A number multiplied by another number to make a product, like 4 and 6 in 4 × 6 = 24.
- product
- The answer to a multiplication problem.
- partial products
- The smaller answers found by multiplying each part of a number, which are then added together.
- area model
- A rectangle split into parts by place value, used to multiply or divide.
- distributive property
- Multiplying each part of a split number, then adding: 6 × 47 = 6 × 40 + 6 × 7.
- multistep
- Needing more than one calculation to reach the answer.
- estimate
- A close guess found with rounded numbers, used to check whether an answer makes sense.
- reasonable
- Making sense for the problem and close to an estimate.
Ready to build your child’s confidence with multidigit multiplication?
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 4 cover?
Everyday Mathematics Grade 4 Unit 4 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.