Go Math! Grade 4, Chapter 1: Place Value Addition and Subtraction to One Million
In this unit, your child works with whole numbers up to one million. They learn how the value of a digit changes from place to place; read, write, and compare large numbers; round them; and add and subtract them with the column method. It starts the year and leads into multiplying by one-digit numbers.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Chapter 1?
- Comparing the value of a digit in two places, like the 3 in 3,000 and the 3 in 300, using ten times. Learn more: Why each place is worth ten times the next
- Writing numbers to one million in digits, words, and expanded form, and ordering several large numbers. 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
- Rounding numbers to the nearest ten, hundred, thousand, and beyond to estimate sums and differences. Learn more: Rounding big numbers to any place
- Adding and subtracting numbers up to one million in columns, and checking the answer with an estimate. 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
- Look up the populations of two nearby towns together. Ask your child to read each number aloud, write it in expanded form, and say which is greater and how they know.
- Round prices at the store. Ask whether a $68 item is closer to $60 or $70, then try a total like $243 to the nearest hundred.
- Add up a pretend vacation budget: $1,245 for travel and $2,869 for lodging. Ask your child for the total, then how much is left from $5,000.
Where kids can get stuck
- Writing "six thousand forty" as 640, leaving out the zeros that hold empty places.
- Subtracting the smaller digit from the larger in each column, so 5,203 − 1,768 comes out as 4,565.
- Rounding 7,951 to the nearest hundred as 7,1000 instead of 8,000, unsure how to carry.
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 its place in a number.
- digit
- Any of the symbols 0 through 9 used to write numbers.
- period
- A group of three places, like the thousands period, set off by commas.
- expanded form
- A number written as the sum of each digit's value, like 3,000 + 400 + 5.
- word form
- A number written in words, like "three thousand four hundred five."
- round
- To change a number to a nearby, easier number, like 6,812 to 7,000.
- regroup
- To trade 10 of one place for 1 of the next, like 10 tens for 1 hundred.
- estimate
- A close guess, often made with rounded numbers, to check whether an answer makes sense.
Ready to build your child’s confidence with numbers to one 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.
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 Go Math! Grade 4 Chapter 1 cover?
Go Math! Grade 4 Chapter 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.