i-Ready Classroom Mathematics Grade 4, Unit 2: Multiplication and Division Strategies
In this unit, your child builds strategies for multiplying and dividing larger numbers: area models, partial products, and partial quotients. They find factors and multiples, tell prime from composite numbers, explore number patterns, and solve multi-step problems with remainders. It follows the place value unit and leads into fraction equivalence.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 2?
- Multiplying four-digit by one-digit and two-digit by two-digit numbers 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
- Dividing by one-digit numbers with partial quotients and area models, and explaining the remainder. Learn more: Dividing with remainders, like 87 ÷ 5
- Solving multi-step problems with all four operations, and deciding how a remainder affects the answer. Learn more: Multi-step story problems and leftovers
- Finding factor pairs and multiples for numbers to 100, and identifying prime and 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
- Extending number and shape patterns from a rule, and describing features of the pattern that the rule doesn't mention. Learn more: Number patterns that follow a rule
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
- Build a growing pattern with coins or blocks: 2, then 5, then 8. Ask your child for the rule, the next term, and whether the 10th term will be odd or even.
- Share 85 dried beans among 7 cups, then have your child check the answer by multiplying back: 7 × 12 + 1 = 85.
- Plan a family picnic: 4 packs of 18 juice boxes, shared among 9 people. Ask how many each person gets and how your child worked it out.
Where kids can get stuck
- Leaving out a partial product, so 3 × 1,245 comes out as 3,135 instead of 3,735, skipping 3 × 200.
- Thinking every odd number is prime, so 27 seems prime though 27 = 3 × 9.
- Writing a pattern that adds the wrong amount partway through, like 2, 5, 8, 10.
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
- partial products
- The smaller products you get by multiplying each place separately, which are then added together.
- partial quotients
- Dividing in chunks, like taking out 10 groups and then 5 more, and adding the chunks.
- area model
- A rectangle split into parts by place value, used to show multiplication or division.
- remainder
- The amount left over when a number can't be split into equal groups exactly.
- 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.
- 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.
- pattern
- Numbers or shapes that follow a rule.
Want to help your child master multiplying and dividing larger numbers?
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 i-Ready Classroom Mathematics Grade 4 Unit 2 cover?
i-Ready Classroom Mathematics Grade 4 Unit 2 covers these math standards. Each one links to what it means, sample questions, and teaching strategies.
- 4.NBT.B.5: Multiply larger numbers, like 3,045 × 8 and 64 × 38.
- 4.NBT.B.6: Divide by a one-digit number, with remainders, like 87 ÷ 5.
- 4.OA.A.3: Solve word problems with several steps, including ones with remainders.
- 4.OA.B.4: Find factors and multiples up to 100, and spot prime numbers.
- 4.OA.C.5: Make a pattern from a rule, like adding 6 each time, and explain it.
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.