Into Math Grade 4, Unit 3: Division Strategies
In this unit, your child divides numbers of up to four digits by a one-digit number, using place value, area models, and the link between multiplying and dividing. They work with remainders and solve multistep word problems where they decide what a remainder means. It builds on multiplication strategies and comes before fractions and decimals.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 3?
- Dividing up to four-digit numbers by one-digit numbers with partial quotients and area models, and checking each quotient by multiplying. Learn more: Dividing with remainders, like 87 ÷ 5
- Solving multistep word problems with all four operations, and deciding whether a remainder should be rounded up, dropped, or reported. 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
What is 87 ÷ 5?
- 17
- 17 R 2
- 17.2
How you can help
- Plan seats for an outing: if 27 people need rides in vans that each hold 6, ask your child how many vans are needed and why the remainder matters.
- Share a bag of snacks evenly: with 50 pretzels for 4 people, ask how many each person gets and what happens to the leftovers.
- Check division with multiplication: after your child finds 96 ÷ 4, ask them to multiply the answer by 4 to see whether they get back to 96.
Where kids can get stuck
- Dropping a zero in the quotient, so 624 ÷ 6 comes out as 14 instead of 104.
- Giving a remainder answer that doesn't fit the story, like 4 vans with 3 people left over instead of 5 vans.
- Skipping the check by multiplying back, so a quotient that is too small 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
- dividend
- The number being divided, like 87 in 87 ÷ 5.
- divisor
- The number you divide by, like 5 in 87 ÷ 5.
- quotient
- The answer to a division problem.
- remainder
- The amount left over when a number cannot be divided evenly.
- partial quotients
- Dividing in friendly chunks, like hundreds then tens, and adding the chunks to get the quotient.
- multistep
- Needing more than one calculation to reach the answer.
- interpret
- To decide what an answer, such as a remainder, means in the story.
- reasonable
- Making sense for the problem and close to an estimate.
Want to help your child master division strategies?
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 Into Math Grade 4 Unit 3 cover?
Into Math Grade 4 Unit 3 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.